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Glite Dictionary
Squalus acanthias

Squalus acanthias

9.9
A small spiny shark called the spiny dogfish that lives near coasts in the Atlantic and Pacific
  • noun
  • /ˈskweɪləs əˈkænθiəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Squalus acanthias
  • Fisheries scientists are concerned about the declining population of Squalus acanthias in some regions.

Examples

  • Due to its abundance, the Squalus acanthias is often studied in marine biology courses.

  • The anatomy lab used a Squalus acanthias specimen to teach students about shark physiology.

  • The Squalus acanthias is often studied in marine biology.

  • Did you know that the Squalus acanthias can live for over 20 years?

  • Fisheries scientists are concerned about the declining population of Squalus acanthias in some regions.

  • The anatomy lab used a Squalus acanthias specimen to teach students about shark physiology.

  • Due to its abundance, the Squalus acanthias is often studied in marine biology courses.

Synonyms

spiny dogfish
vsSqualus acanthias
8.4

A small shark with sharp spines in front of its top fins

uses the scientific name rather than the common name
Atlantic spiny dogfish
vsSqualus acanthias
  • UK
8.0

A small thin shark with sharp spines on its back found in Atlantic coastal waters

applies to both Atlantic and Pacific coastal populations and is used in research
Pacific spiny dogfish
vsSqualus acanthias
  • US
8.6

A small shark that has two spines on its back and lives along the Pacific coast of North America

applies to both Pacific and Atlantic coasts and is broader in geographic scope

Surface Forms

Squalus acanthias singular
Squalus acanthiases plural
Squalus acanthias plural

Morphology

Squalus + acanthias

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species) functioning as a taxonomic proper name rather than a compositional phrase; its meaning (‘a species of small shark’) is an arbitrary label and not transparently built from everyday English words. One constituent is not a normal English word and the other is a scientific genus, so a B1 learner who knows the parts would still not reliably infer the species meaning without prior exposure or specialist knowledge.

Etymology

Squalus acanthias comes from old words: Squalus meant 'shark' and acanthias came from a word for 'spine' or 'thorn'. The name paints a picture of a small shark with a sharp spine on its back, so it refers to the 'spiny dogfish' and is used for that species.