caprine

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nountechnicalbiology

   Relating to goats, or to the animal family that includes them.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, mostly in science or farming: caprine milk.

   Patterns

   • caprine species
   • caprine disease

   The vet specializes in caprine diseases.

   Caprine milk is used to make some kinds of cheese.

   Researchers studied the caprine herd for signs of infection.

2. 2adjectivecomparableliterary

   Looking like or behaving like a goat.

   Grammar: Used descriptively, often with a literary or humorous tone: a caprine grin.

   Patterns

   • caprine features

   The old man had a thin, caprine face with a pointed beard.

   Her caprine stubbornness annoyed everyone.

   The statue has a caprine smile.

Common combinations

caprine milk

Caprine milk is easier to digest for some people.

caprine species

Several caprine species live in mountain regions.

caprine herd

The caprine herd grazed on the hillside.

caprine arthritis

Caprine arthritis is a viral disease of goats.

caprine features

The sculptor gave the figure caprine features.

Synonyms and how they differ

goatish

Goatish is a less technical word, often used to describe something that looks or smells like a goat.

hircine

Hircine is a rare literary word for the smell or look of a goat, particularly the strong odor of a male goat.

Word family

Capra noun

the scientific name of the genus that includes goats

Capricorn noun

the zodiac sign symbolized by a goat

capriole noun

a leap, as of a horse or dancer, named after a goat's jump

Commonly confused: caprine or ovine? caprine or bovine?

Practice

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