चित्रोष्ट्र
citroṣṭra
The Sanskrit word for giraffe is चित्रोष्ट्र (citroṣṭra).
The word चित्रोष्ट्र is used to refer to the giraffe, a type of spotted mammal.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of citra, meaning variegated or spotted and uṣṭra, meaning camel, literally translating to spotted camel.
How do you pronounce it?
citroṣṭra
Did you know?
- In Sanskrit literature, the term citra is frequently used to describe the 'variegated' colors of the dawn or the sunset, linking the giraffe's pattern to the celestial sky.
- The word 'citra' in 'citroṣṭra' shares its roots with words meaning 'art' or 'picture', suggesting the giraffe's pattern was viewed as a form of visual creativity.
- The term 'citra' evolved from describing physical patterns to meaning 'wonderful' or 'extraordinary' in many descendant Indian languages.
Examples in context
- चित्रोष्ट्रः वनक्षेत्रे वसति।citroṣṭraḥ vana-kṣetre vasati.A giraffe lives in the forest.
- एषः चित्रोष्ट्रः अतीव दीर्घः अस्ति।eṣaḥ citroṣṭraḥ atīva dīrghaḥ asti.This giraffe is very tall.
Example conversation
Aryan and Mira are looking at a picture book in a library.
- आर्यन Aryanकिं चित्रोष्ट्रः अत्र अस्ति?kiṃ citroṣṭraḥ atra asti?Is there a giraffe here?
- मीरा Miraआम्, चित्रोष्ट्रः अत्र अस्ति।ām, citroṣṭraḥ atra asti.Yes, the giraffe is here.
- आर्यन Aryanतस्य वर्णः कीदृशः अस्ति?tasya varṇaḥ kīdṛśaḥ asti?What is its color like?
- मीरा Miraतस्य वर्णः पीतः अस्ति।tasya varṇaḥ pītaḥ asti.Its color is yellow.
