American water spaniel
- noun
- /əˈmɛrɪkən ˈwɔːtər ˈspæn.jəl/
- US
- The American water spaniel is known for its intelligence and enthusiasm for swimming.
Examples
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Many hunters appreciate the versatility of the American water spaniel in the field.
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The American water spaniel is an excellent hunting dog.
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As a puppy, their American water spaniel quickly learned to retrieve objects from the lake.
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Many American water spaniels enjoy swimming in lakes.
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The American water spaniel is known for its curly coat and strong swimming skills, making it an excellent companion for hunting.
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Hunters value the American water spaniel for its ability to retrieve waterfowl in various terrains.
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With its friendly demeanor and agility, the American water spaniel makes a great addition to any family who enjoys outdoor activities.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositionally inferable: 'American' indicates origin, 'water' signals association with water or water-working, and 'spaniel' names a type of dog, so together they denote a US breed of spaniel adapted for water work. This follows common naming patterns for animal breeds and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
American water spaniel was named for where it came from and what it did: American because it was bred in the United States, water because it swims and works in lakes, and spaniel because it is a kind of hunting dog. That's why the name shows this breed is a U.S. hunting dog that loves water and is good at 'retrieving'.