woolly mammoth

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Explanation of "Woolly Mammoth"

Definition: A "woolly mammoth" is a large, prehistoric animal that lived in cold regions, like the northern parts of the Earth. It was similar to modern elephants but had long, curved tusks and a thick coat of hair to keep warm.

Usage Instructions

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Countability: It is a countable noun. You can say "one woolly mammoth" or "many woolly mammoths."

Example

• "Scientists found fossils of a woolly mammoth in Siberia, showing how these animals lived in icy environments."

Advanced Usage

In more advanced discussions, the term "woolly mammoth" can be used in contexts involving paleontology (the study of ancient life) or climate change, as scientists study these animals to understand how they adapted to their environment.

Word Variants

• Woolly (adjective): Describes something that is covered in wool or has a fluffy appearance.
• Mammoth (noun): Sometimes used on its own to describe something very large, but originally refers to the extinct animal.

Different Meanings

• "Mammoth" can also be used as an adjective in modern English to describe something gigantic or enormous.
  • Example: "They had a mammoth task ahead of them."

Synonyms

• Elephant: While not the same species, they are related and have similar features.
• Colossal: Used as an adjective to describe something very large, similar to how “mammoth” is used.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "woolly mammoth," but you might hear: - "Woolly" can be used in phrases like "woolly thinking," which means unclear or confused thinking.

Summary

A woolly mammoth is an extinct, hairy animal that lived in cold areas, resembling an elephant.

Academic

Noun

1. very hairy mammoth common in colder portions of the northern hemisphere

Synonyms

• northern mammoth
• Mammuthus primigenius