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European bream

European bream

8.4
A freshwater fish with a flat body and silver scales that is not often eaten
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : bremas
  • Although common, European bream are not highly prized for their flavor.

Examples

  • The fisherman caught a large European bream near the riverbank.

  • Many anglers enjoy catching European bream in summer.

  • Her field research focused on the spawning habits of the European bream.

  • The European bream is often found in lakes.

  • Many anglers enjoy catching European bream, especially during the warmer months.

  • The fisherman was pleased to see a large European bream among his catch of freshwater fish.

  • In the local lake, the European bream can often be spotted swimming near the surface.

Synonyms

Abramis brama
vsEuropean bream
  • UK
9.9

A common European freshwater fish with a flat body and silvery scales not often eaten

is the everyday English name for the same fish

How Edible

salmon
76 1.0
trout
123 1.0
carp
21 2.4
European bream
  • UK
8.4
minnow
15 4.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

European + bream

The noun phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'European' indicates origin and 'bream' names a type of fish, so the meaning 'a bream from Europe' is directly derivable from the parts. This simple, cross-linguistically common modification pattern makes the MWE immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

The name European bream comes from the word bream, used for a flat, silvery river fish, with European showing where it is found. That's why European bream today means 'a freshwater fish' often caught in rivers and not much valued for food.