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Glite Dictionary
Prionace glauca

Prionace glauca

9.9
A long thin blue shark with a white belly that lives in open oceans and can harm people
  • noun
  • /ˈpraɪəneɪs ˈɡlɔːkə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Prionace glauca
  • The Prionace glauca is a striking shark known for its beautiful blue body and slender shape.

Examples

  • Researchers observed a group of Prionace glauca hunting near the surface at dusk.

  • The Prionace glauca is often referred to as the blue shark.

  • Due to its widespread distribution, Prionace glauca plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems.

  • The Prionace glauca is often seen in the open oceans of temperate and tropical waters.

  • Have you ever seen a Prionace glauca in the wild?

  • Scientists can identify the Prionace glauca by its distinctive coloration and large dorsal fin.

  • In some regions, the Prionace glauca is considered potentially dangerous to divers and surfers.

Synonyms

blue shark
vsPrionace glauca
4 4.5

A slim, fast shark with a blue back and white belly that lives in the open ocean

is the scientific name used in biology rather than the common name
great blue shark
vsPrionace glauca
6.0

A large shark with a blue back and white belly that lives in the open sea and can be dangerous

focuses on the exact species identity and worldwide distribution, not just danger reports

Surface Forms

Prionace glauca singular
Prionace glaucas plural

Morphology

Prionace + glauca

This is a taxonomic binomial (genus + specific epithet), so a learner who knows 'Prionace' will be able to infer that Prionace glauca is a species within that genus (i.e. a kind of Prionace). However, the precise common meaning ('blue shark') or the descriptive sense of 'glauca' depends on knowledge of Latin/biological naming conventions and is not directly predictable to a typical B1 learner, making the transparency only partial.

Etymology

Prionace glauca may come from old Greek words: Prionace from 'prion' meaning 'saw', for its thin, pointed snout, and glauca meaning 'pale blue', for its blue body. That's why the name describes a slender, blue shark found in the open ocean.