fauna
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
all the animals that live in a particular place or time.
the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period, treated as a collective group.
Simple“The local fauna includes several rare species of birds and small mammals.”
In context“Conservationists are concerned that the introduction of invasive species will permanently disrupt the native fauna of the island chain.”
UsageOften paired with 'flora' to describe all living things in an area.
Teacher's tipLearners should remember that 'fauna' refers to animals, while 'flora' refers to plants; they are almost always used together in scientific or nature writing.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
a book or list that describes all the animals found in a specific area.
a descriptive catalogue or treatise of the animals of a given region or period.
Simple“He consulted a 19th-century fauna of the British Isles to identify the beetle.”
In context“The library holds an extensive collection of regional faunas, providing a historical record of biodiversity across the continent.”
UsageIn this sense, the word is countable.
Teacher's tipThis is a highly specialized use found in academic or historical contexts.
Feminine form of Faunus. Some refer it to Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₂w-, whence Ancient Greek θαῦνον (thaûnon, “beast”), Illyrian-related Daunus. Some refer it to faveō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.