rhesus

Everyday

1. A rhesus monkey (rhesus macaque) is a small brown monkey from Asia with a reddish face. tree →
2. (science, medicine) The rhesus factor (Rh) is a protein on red blood cells; blood is called Rh-positive if it has it and Rh-negative if not. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on blood groups, «rhesus positive» and «rhesus negative» explain the plus or minus in blood types like O+ and A−. In nature lessons rhesus monkeys live in India, China and nearby, often in cities and temples. The rhesus factor was named after experiments with these monkeys. Phrases: «rhesus monkey», «rhesus positive», «rhesus negative».

Examples

• Rhesus monkeys live in large groups in India. tree →
• My blood group is O rhesus positive. tree →
• The plus in A+ means rhesus positive. tree →
• A rhesus macaque stole a banana from a tourist. tree →
• Rhesus monkeys were sent into space in the early days of rockets. tree →
• Doctors check the rhesus factor before giving blood. tree →

Note

Pronounced «REE-sus». Hard spelling: r-h-e-s-u-s. Rh is the short form. Most people are rhesus positive.