flying fox
flying fox Lexical Profile
• noun
A large fruit bat of the genus Pteropus or related genera, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, East Africa, and various oceanic islands, characterized by a fox-like head and a diet of fruit, nectar, and pollen.
"The grey-headed flying fox is a crucial pollinator for many native Australian forest ecosystems."
Australian A small cable car, suspended harness, or zip-line used for transporting people or goods across a ravine, river, or playground.
"The children spent the entire afternoon taking turns riding the flying fox at the local adventure park."
Word Nuance & Usage
In Australian and New Zealand English, the term is widely used to refer to a zip-line, which can occasionally cause confusion for speakers of other English dialects who only recognize it as a bat.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The animal was named for its distinctive facial features, which closely resemble those of a fox, including pointed ears, large eyes, and a canine-like snout.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.