How Do You Spell MEROPS?

Pronunciation: [mˈɛɹɒps] (IPA)

Merops is a word that refers to a genus of birds. The spelling of this word follows the IPA phonetic transcription, which is /ˈmɛrɒps/. This means that the word is pronounced with stress on the first syllable, followed by the short "e" sound, then "r", "o", "p", and "s". The "ɒ" in the second syllable represents the open back rounded vowel, while the "p" and "s" sounds indicate voiceless consonants. By following the IPA transcription, we can properly pronounce and spell the word merops.

MEROPS Meaning and Definition

1. Merops is a noun that refers to a genus of small to medium-sized birds in the family Meropidae, commonly known as bee-eaters. It derives from the Greek word "merops," which means "bee-eater."

   Bee-eaters are colorful, slender birds known for their vibrant plumage and unique hunting behavior. They are predominantly found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, inhabiting various habitats such as woodlands, savannahs, and grasslands.

   The typical physical characteristics of birds in the genus Merops include a long, pointed bill, a slim body, and elongated central tail feathers. Their plumage is often a combination of bright, contrasting colors, with shades of green, blue, yellow, and red commonly observed. These striking colors serve as camouflage and help attract mates during courtship displays.

   As their name suggests, bee-eaters have a specialized diet primarily consisting of bees and wasps. They are adept hunters, using their sharp bills to catch insects on the wing. Bee-eaters are also known to remove the venomous sting of their prey by beating them against a hard surface before consumption. In addition to bees and wasps, they may also feed on other flying insects such as dragonflies and butterflies.

   Due to their captivating appearance and interesting behavior, many species of bee-eaters are popular among birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Their presence often indicates a healthy ecosystem with abundant insect populations. Merops is an important genus in avian biodiversity, demonstrating the fascinating adaptations of birds and their role in maintaining ecological balance.

2. A genus of birds called bee-eaters.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for MEROPS

• nerops
• kerops
• jerops
• mwrops
• msrops
• mdrops
• mrrops
• m4rops
• m3rops
• meeops
• medops
• mefops
• metops
• me5ops
• me4ops
• merips
• merkps
• merlps
• merpps

Etymology of MEROPS

The word "merops" has its origins in Greek. It comes from the Greek word "merops" (Μέροψ), which was used to refer to a mythological figure known as Merops, who was the father of Pandareus and the king of Rhodes in Greek mythology. The etymology of the word itself is uncertain, but some scholars suggest that it may have roots in the Greek words "meros" (μέρος), meaning "part" or "portion", and "ops" (ὤψ), meaning "face" or "eye". Hence, "merops" could be loosely translated as "partly visible" or "partial view".