Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Macroscelididae

plural noun
Mac·​ro·​sce·​lid·​i·​dae | \ ˌmakrōsəˈlidəˌdē\

Definition of Macroscelididae

: a family of African insectivores comprising the elephant shrews and constituting sometimes with the addition of the Tupaiidae a suborder (Menotyphla) of Insectivora

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Macroscelididae

New Latin, from Macroscelides, type genus (from macr- + scel- + Latin -ides, patronymic suffix) + -idae

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Macroscelididae

Statistics for Macroscelididae

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Macroscelididae

What made you want to look up Macroscelididae? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

writhe

Listen to the pronounciation of writhe

to move or proceed with twists and turns

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games