mating — the act of animals or birds coming together to produce young
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the act of animals or birds coming together to produce young
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmeɪ.tɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- During mating season, male peacocks show off their colorful feathers like they're at a fashion show.
- Scientists observed the mating habits of penguins in Antarctica for three years.
- The frog's mating call was so loud that it kept the whole neighborhood awake at night.
mating
NOUN[/ˈmeɪ.tɪŋ/]
the act of animals or birds coming together to produce young
Two peacocks begin their mating dance as feathers fan out in full display.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Mating derives from the Old English gemetta, meaning 'one who eats together' or 'companion,' formed from ge- (together) and etta (eater). The term evolved from denoting a social companion to a sexual partner, eventually acquiring its modern biological sense of reproductive pairing in animals.
Breakdown
mate (companion, partner; from Old English gemetta) + -ing (suffix forming gerunds and present participles, indicating action or process). The word combines a noun meaning 'partner' with a verbal suffix to express the act of pairing or breeding.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“During mating season, male peacocks show off their colorful feathers like they're at a fashion show.”
“Scientists observed the mating habits of penguins in Antarctica for three years.”
“The frog's mating call was so loud that it kept the whole neighborhood awake at night.”
“This document explains the mating process of butterflies for biology students.”
📚Related Words
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