TERGIFEROUS Meaning and
Definition
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Tergiferous is an adjective that describes something or someone that produces or carries a covering or protection. The term is derived from Latin, where "tergum" means "back" and "ferre" means "to bear" or "to carry."
In a literal sense, tergiferous refers to an organism or body part that possesses or grows a protective covering on its back. This can include animals with shells or carapaces, such as turtles, armadillos, or beetles. Additionally, tergiferous can describe plants or fungi that have protective structures on their dorsal surface, such as thorns or scales on cacti or certain ferns.
Figuratively, tergiferous can describe someone who acts as a protector or defender, someone who carries the responsibility of guarding or shielding others. This term may be used to commend individuals who take upon themselves the task of protecting or sheltering others from harm or defending vulnerable individuals or groups.
Overall, the term tergiferous is a versatile adjective used to describe both physical and metaphorical characteristics. Whether it pertains to organisms with protective coverings or individuals with protective and caring qualities, tergiferous highlights the importance of providing security, shelter, and defense.
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In bot., bearing on the back-applied to plants which bear their seeds on the back of the leaves, as ferns.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TERGIFEROUS
- rergiferous
- fergiferous
- gergiferous
- yergiferous
- 6ergiferous
- 5ergiferous
- twrgiferous
- tsrgiferous
- tdrgiferous
- trrgiferous
- t4rgiferous
- t3rgiferous
- teegiferous
- tedgiferous
- tefgiferous
- tetgiferous
- te5giferous
- te4giferous
- terfiferous
- terviferous
Etymology of TERGIFEROUS
The word tergiferous is derived from Latin. It combines two Latin roots: tergum, meaning back or rear, and ferre, meaning to bear or to carry. In Latin, tergifer refers to an animal that carries something on its back or rear. The suffix -ous is added to form an adjective, giving us tergiferous, meaning bearing on the back or carrying on the rear.
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