common duckweed
- noun
- /ˈkɑːmən ˈdʌkwiːd/
- Specialized
:
lenteja de agua común
- The surface of the pond was covered in a thick layer of common duckweed.
Examples
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The rapid growth of common duckweed can sometimes block sunlight for underwater plants.
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Gardeners often remove common duckweed from ornamental ponds to keep the water clear.
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Look at the common duckweed!
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The common duckweed floats gracefully on the surface.
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Gardeners often remove common duckweed from ornamental ponds to keep the water clear.
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The rapid growth of common duckweed can sometimes block sunlight for underwater plants.
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The surface of the pond was covered in a thick layer of common duckweed.
Synonyms
A small floating water plant like duckweed that grows in ponds
A very small plant that floats on ponds with tiny oval leaves
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is an adjective + noun composition where 'common' (typical, frequently occurring) simply modifies 'duckweed' (a small floating aquatic plant), so the meaning 'a species/instance of duckweed that is common' is directly derivable from the parts. This compositional pattern is transparent and predictable across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand the MWE.
Etymology
Common duckweed gets its name from a simple image: tiny, floating plants that ducks often eat, so people joined duck and weed to describe them. The word 'common' means 'usual', so the name points to the 'small water plant' you often see covering ponds.
