Tymbrimi

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The Tymbrimi are a fictional extraterrestrial species in David Brin's Uplift Universe. One of the few races to ally with the humans, the Tymbrimi are considered by many of the galactic races to be tricksters. Tymbrimi have one client species, called Tytlal, which were previously thought to be unupliftable. The Caltmour, the species which uplifted the Tymbrimi, were exterminated in a intergalactic war.

Physically, they resemble anthropomorphic foxes, with fur that terminates in a widows peak above the bridge of their nose. They have a pair of tendrils that radiate out from their temples that serve as sense organs for some type of telepathy described in the books as 'empathy glyphs', in addition to radiating excess body heat.

The Tymbrimi have glands that can release enzymes for making physical changes to their appearance and organs. This is called a "gheer reaction" in the books.

Culturally, they share many of the same reservations that humans have about the effects of the Galactic Library on developing cultures.

Etymology for selected 'empathy glyphs:'

Glyph Name	Possible English root	Meaning
kiniwullun	(Evel) Knievel -ing	what boys will do
laylacllapt'n	Layla (Eric) Clapton	true love, soul mate
lurrunanu	lure you neener (neener)
nuturunow	not right now
tu' fluk	tough luck	unnappreciated jest