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Glite Dictionary
European catfish

European catfish

6.5
A very large freshwater fish from European rivers that can grow over two meters
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : siluro europeo
  • The European catfish can grow to an impressive length of over two meters.

Examples

  • The diet of the European catfish includes fish, amphibians, and sometimes birds.

  • Fishermen in the Danube often hope to catch a European catfish due to its size.

  • The European catfish can grow up to three meters long.

  • Many fishermen are targeting the European catfish this season.

  • Fishermen in the Danube often hope to catch a European catfish due to its size.

  • The European catfish can grow to an impressive length of over two meters.

  • The diet of the European catfish includes fish, amphibians, and sometimes birds.

Synonyms

sheatfish
vsEuropean catfish
  • UK
9.9

A very large freshwater catfish found in European rivers like the Danube

emphasizes the species' considerable size rather than its scientific naming
Silurus glanis
vsEuropean catfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A very large freshwater catfish with a long body from central and eastern Europe

is the common descriptive name focusing on notable size rather than Latin naming

How Big

European catfish
  • UK
6.5
largemouth bass
  • US
1 3.9

Surface Forms

European catfish singular
European catfishes plural

Morphology

European + catfish

The noun phrase 'European catfish' is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: a catfish that is connected with Europe, so the basic meaning (a catfish from Europe) is directly derivable from the constituents. This Adj+N pattern is cross-linguistically common and therefore a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand the expression (specific details like exact size require context).

Etymology

European catfish combines European (where it lives) and catfish (a fish with long, cat-like whiskers). So the name paints a picture of a very large, whiskered fish from Europe, and that's why it means 'a large catfish found in Europe'.