Rhinoceros Means Nose-Horn
A rhino is a large horned mammal. Its full name is a plain Greek description of the animal's most obvious feature.
A rhino is a large thick-skinned mammal with one or two horns on its snout. The full name is a straightforward Greek description: *rhis*, nose, plus *keras*, horn — nose-horn. The horn itself is not bone but keratin, the same material as hair and fingernails, packed into a dense mass. The same *rhis* gives *rhinoplasty*, nose surgery, and *rhinitis*, inflammation of the nose.
- A horned mammal. *A white rhino.*
- Rhinoceros — the full name. *Rhinoceros.*
- Keratin — what the horn is made of. *Keratin.*
- Rhinoplasty — nose surgery. *Rhinoplasty.*
- Greek — *rhis*, nose. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | rhino | A rhino. |
| Plural | rhinos | Rhinos. |
| Full form | rhinoceros | Rhinoceros. |
| Greek | rhis | Nose. |
| Greek | keras | Horn. |
- The rhino grazed near the waterhole.Animal.
- Rhinoceros means nose-horn.Etymology.
- The horn is keratin, not bone.Biology.
Animals named for a body part
- Rhinoceros — nose-horn
- Hippopotamus — river horse
- Platypus — flat foot
- Chameleon — ground lion
- Octopus — eight foot
A shortening of *rhinoceros*, from Greek *rhinokeros*, from *rhis*, nose, plus *keras*, horn.
What is a rhino horn made of?
Keratin, the same protein as hair and fingernails, densely packed. It is not bone and has no medicinal properties.
Is rhinoplasty related?
Yes. Both contain Greek rhis, nose; rhinoplasty is surgical reshaping of the nose.