Ovicaprid
/ˌoʊ.vɪˈkæp.rɪd/noun
Relating to or denoting sheep and goats, especially animals or a group including both.
Did you know?Although sheep-goat hybrids have occasionally been reported, they are biologically difficult and usually infertile, so “ovicaprid” normally refers to a category rather than a hybrid.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ówis
“Sheep; the ancient root behind Latin ovis and English ewe.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kapr-
“Male goat or goat; the root associated with Latin caper and capra.”
Classical Latin
Latin
ovis
“Sheep.”
Classical Latin
Latin
caper / capra
“Male goat / she-goat.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
ovicapridus
“Formed from ovi- meaning “sheep” and caprid- meaning “goat,” as a zoological compound.”
Modern English
English
ovicaprid
“Pertaining to, or grouping together, sheep and goats.”