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Glite Dictionary
Makaira nigricans

Makaira nigricans

9.9
A very large fish with a long pointed bill that lives in warm seas
  • noun
  • /məˈkaɪrə ˌnɪɡrɪˈkænz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Makaira nigricans
  • The Makaira nigricans, also known as the Atlantic blue marlin, can weigh up to 2000 pounds.

Examples

  • The Makaira nigricans is highly prized by sport fishermen for its size and strength.

  • Researchers tracked the migration of Makaira nigricans across the Atlantic Ocean.

  • The striking appearance of Makaira nigricans makes it a popular subject for marine artists.

  • The Makaira nigricans is known for its incredible speed.

  • Have you ever caught a Makaira nigricans?

  • Sport fishermen often seek the Makaira nigricans because of its impressive size and fighting ability.

  • In warm seas around the world, the Makaira nigricans is a top target for deep-sea fishing enthusiasts.

Surface Forms

Makaira nigricans singular
Makaira nigricans plural

Morphology

Makaira + nigricans

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species). If a learner knows 'Makaira' as a genus of large fish they can infer the MWE refers to a particular fish species, but the specific species identity and common-name sense ('Atlantic blue marlin') is not derivable from the constituents (and 'nigricans' is not transparently informative to a B1 learner). Taxonomic naming is partially predictable cross-linguistically but requires domain knowledge for the full meaning.

Etymology

Makaira nigricans may come from the old Greek word Makaira for a kind of knife and the Latin nigricans meaning 'blackish'. People used these words because the fish has a long, knife-like bill and a dark blue body, so the name fits this big Atlantic 'blue marlin'.