frugivorous

adjective

fru·​giv·​o·​rous frü-ˈji-və-rəs How to pronounce frugivorous (audio)
: feeding on fruit
frugivore noun

Examples of frugivorous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After all, some fruit eating — or frugivorous — seed-dispersers are color blind. Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2018 This study also indicated that frugivorous and nectarivorous songbirds that live in dense forests generally are more colorful, supporting previous research that found links between habitats (ref, ref & ref) and dietary factors (ref). Grrlscientist, Forbes, 24 Apr. 2022 The two huge fig trees found here are home to large numbers of frugivorous birds like the Asian koel, white-cheeked barbet, roseringed parakeet, the common myna, and the jungle myna. Bahar Dutt, Quartz India, 22 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frugivorous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin frūgivorus "crop-devouring," from Latin frūg-, frūx "edible produce of plants, fruit, crops" + -i- -i- + -vorus -vorous — more at frugal

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frugivorous was in 1713

Dictionary Entries Near frugivorous

Cite this Entry

“Frugivorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frugivorous. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

frugivorous

adjective
fru·​giv·​o·​rous frü-ˈjiv-ə-rəs How to pronounce frugivorous (audio)
: feeding on fruit
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