clupeid fish

8.1

A small sea fish like herring or sardine that swims in large groups and is used for food

noun
/ˈkluːpiːɪd fɪʃ/

Specialized

: pez clupeido

Sardines, a type of clupeid fish, are a staple in the diet of many coastal communities.

Examples

The North Atlantic is home to several species of clupeid fish, including herring and sprat.
Fishermen rely on annual migrations of clupeid fish for a significant portion of their catch.
The clupeid fish is a staple in many diets.
Many clupeid fishes are caught for commercial fishing.
Fishermen rely on annual migrations of clupeid fish for a significant portion of their catch.
Sardines, a type of clupeid fish, are a staple in the diet of many coastal communities.
The North Atlantic is home to several species of clupeid fish, including herring and sprat.

Synonyms

clupeid

vsclupeid fish

Specialized

9.8

A small sea fish like a herring or sardine that swims in large schools

means the same thing but is the longer phrase that adds the animal word for clarity

Surface Forms

clupeid fish singular

clupeid fishes plural

Morphology

clupeid + fish

The phrase is fully compositional: 'clupeid' names the fish family Clupeidae (herrings, sardines) and 'fish' denotes the animal, so the meaning is simply 'fish of the clupeid family'. This adjective+noun taxonomic pattern is a standard, transparent composition that a learner who knows both constituents can readily understand.

Etymology

The name clupeid fish comes from an old word Clupea, which was the name for herrings long ago. Because herrings and sardines swim in large groups and look alike, the name came to mean 'a family of herring-like food fish'.