Mind-addling Animal Adjectives Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When the coach described one of his footballers as 'bisontine', what was he comparing him to?

Answer: A bison

'Bisontine' means relating to, or having the characteristics of bison.
The word 'bison' is thought to come to us from the Germanic word 'wisent' which was used to describe the now extinct aurochs, an enormous type of wild cattlebeast which once inhabited Europe, Asia and North Africa. The word 'wisent' was borrowed by the Romans and it became 'bison' in Latin.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

2. The word 'columbine' is now unfortunately connected to a tragic high school massacre, but what animal does the adjective 'columbine' refer to?

Answer: Doves

'Columbine' means relating to, or having the characteristics of doves.
The word 'columbine' comes from the Latin 'columba' meaning 'dove'.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

3. Should you be offended if your boss describes you as 'apian'? What is she comparing you to?

Answer: Bees

'Apian' means relating to, or having the characteristics of bees.
The word 'apian' derives from the Latin word 'apis' meaning 'bee'. Hence an 'apiarist' is a beekeeper.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

4. Some professional golfers have nicknames, and one male golfer had a nickname that was 'ursine'. What animal was he named after?

Answer: A bear

'Ursine' means relating to, or having the characteristics of bears. Jack Nicklaus was nicknamed 'The Golden Bear'.
The word 'ursine' comes from the Latin 'ursus', a bear. The name 'Ursula' is derived from the same root and means 'she-bear'.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

5. I'm tempted to describe those thugs who stole my grandma's handbag as 'simian', but that would be an insult to the animals that adjective refers to. What are they?

Answer: Apes

'Simian' means relating to, or having the characteristics of apes.
The word 'simian' derives from the Latin 'simia' meaning 'ape, which is derived from the Greek 'simos' meaning 'snub-nosed'.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

6. I've never heard the adjective 'ratite' used to describe people, but I think it could be useful. What creatures does it refer to?

Answer: Flightless birds

'Ratite' means relating to, or having the characteristics of flightless birds, so perhaps it could be used to decribe those with a fear of flying!
The word 'ratite' comes to us from the Latin 'ratis' meaning 'raft'. Ratites have a smooth, raft-like sternum that lacks a keel to which the wing muscles are anchored.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

7. There is a rock musician with a 'pulicine' stage name. What animal is this band member named after?

Answer: A Flea

'Pulicine' means relating to, or having the characteristics of fleas. 'Flea' is the stage name of Michael Balzary, who is a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The word 'pulicine' derives from the Latin 'pulex' meaning 'flea'. 'Pulicous' means infested with fleas, and 'pulicide' means a substance that kills fleas. So if your pet is pulicous, you had better pay for a pulicide!

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

8. I wouldn't know whether to be offended or pleased if you called me 'vulpine'. What would you be comparing me to?

Answer: A fox

'Vulpine' means relating to, or having the characteristics of foxes.
The word 'vulpine' comes from the Latin 'vulpinus' meaning pertaining to, or resembling a fox. As an adjective, it may also mean 'cunning' or 'crafty'. In the Pokemon universe there is a small fox-like creature called 'Vulpix'.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

9. I could be tempted to describe both Prince Charles and Usain Bolt as 'leporine'. What animal do they remind me of?

Answer: A hare

'Leporine' means relating to, or having the characteristics of hares. Usain Bolt can run like a hare, while Prince Charles has large ears!
The word 'leporine' derives from the Latin 'leporinus' or 'lepus', a hare. A young hare is called a 'leveret'. This is derived from the Anglo-Norman 'levere', which is in turn derived from the Latin 'lepus'.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

10. I almost got punched in the face the other day when I called someone 'troglodytine'. What creature was I comparing them to?

Answer: A wren

'Troglodytine' means relating to, or having the characteristics of wrens.
The word 'troglodytine' is derived from the Greek 'troglodytai' meaning 'a hole' which refers to the tendency of some species of wren to forage in dark crevices. Wrens belong to the genus 'Troglodytidae'.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

Source: Author Apteryx65

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

This quiz is about adjectives used to describe animal characteristics, e.g. 'elephantine' means 'pertaining to elephants'. I give you the adjective, you tell me what animal it relates to.

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