Animal-Like Terms to Latin Adjectives

This rule promotes the use of precise Latin-derived adjectives instead of hyphenated "animal-like" constructions in scientific and formal writing. The rule helps writers elevate their prose by using more sophisticated and concise terminology, particularly useful in biological, zoological, and scientific contexts.

The motivation behind this rule is that English has inherited many specific Latin adjectives that describe animal characteristics more elegantly than compound constructions. Using these terms not only makes writing more professional but also demonstrates technical accuracy and familiarity with scientific terminology.

Examples:

  • ✗ "The creature had wolf-like features"
    ✓ "The creature had lupine features"

  • ✗ "The bird displayed eagle-like characteristics"
    ✓ "The bird displayed aquiline characteristics"

  • ✗ "Their mouse-like behavior was notable"
    ✓ "Their murine behavior was notable"

  • ✗ "The fish-like adaptations were evident"
    ✓ "The piscine adaptations were evident"

The rule checks for hyphenated constructions like "wolf-like" or "eagle-like" and suggests their Latin-derived equivalents, providing a more sophisticated alternative while maintaining precise meaning.

Rule Source

This rule comes from: https://github.com/mesosphere/dcos-docs-site

Rule Definition

extends: substitution
message: "Consider using '%s' instead of '%s'."
level: error
action:
  name: replace
swap:
  (?:bull|ox)-like:  taurine
  (?:calf|veal)-like: vituline
  (?:crow|raven)-like: corvine
  (?:leopard|panther)-like: pardine
  bird-like:  avine
  centipede-like:  scolopendrine
  crab-like:  cancrine
  crocodile-like:  crocodiline
  deer-like:  damine
  eagle-like:  aquiline
  earthworm-like:  lumbricine
  falcon-like:  falconine
  ferine:  wild animal-like
  fish-like:  piscine
  fox-like:  vulpine
  frog-like:  ranine
  goat-like:  hircine
  goose-like:  anserine
  gull-like:  laridine
  hare-like:  leporine
  hawk-like:  accipitrine
  hippopotamus-like:  hippopotamine
  lizard-like:  lacertine
  mongoose-like:  viverrine
  mouse-like:  murine
  ostrich-like:  struthionine
  peacock-like:  pavonine
  porcupine-like:  hystricine
  rattlesnake-like:  crotaline
  sable-like:  zibeline
  sheep-like:  ovine
  shrew-like:  soricine
  sparrow-like:  passerine
  swallow-like:  hirundine
  swine-like:  suilline
  tiger-like:  tigrine
  viper-like:  viperine
  vulture-like:  vulturine
  wasp-like:  vespine
  wolf-like:  lupine
  woodpecker-like:  picine
  zebra-like:  zebrine