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Glite Dictionary
cow shark

cow shark

8.1
A large shark with a broad head that has more than five gill slits
  • noun
  • /kaʊ ʃɑrk/
translation icon : tiburón vaca
  • Scientists are studying the unique anatomy of the cow shark to learn more about shark evolution.

Examples

  • The cow shark is recognized by its extra set of gill slits compared to most other sharks.

  • The cow shark is known for its unique appearance.

  • Divers occasionally encounter a cow shark in deep coastal waters.

  • Many divers are fascinated by the cow shark.

  • The cow shark is known for its unique appearance, including a broad head and multiple gill slits.

  • While snorkeling in the coral reef, we spotted a cow shark gliding gracefully near the ocean floor.

  • Researchers studied the behavior of a cow shark to learn more about its hunting techniques and environmental preferences.

Synonyms

six-gilled shark
vscow shark
9.3

A large shark with six gill slits that lives in warm seas

is defined by broader head and more than five gill slits rather than six
Hexanchus
vscow shark
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of shark species with six or seven gill slits

is the general type, noted for broad head and more than five gill slits
Hexanchidae
vscow shark
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of deep-water sharks with six or seven gill slits

is found in warm seas with broad head rather than deep worldwide habitats

Surface Forms

cow shark singular
cow sharks plural

Morphology

cow + shark

The compound 'cow shark' is transparently built from 'cow' (modifier) + 'shark' (head noun), so a learner who knows both words will readily infer it denotes a type/kind of shark (likely named for some perceived resemblance or association). Although the precise biological details (broad head, gill slits) are not predictable, the basic category meaning is compositional and follows common cross-linguistic noun-noun naming patterns.

Etymology

Cow shark may get its name from how the animal looks and moves. One popular story says fishermen thought its broad, flat head and slow, heavy swimming looked a little like a cow, so the name stuck and now cow shark means this large, ancient shark with extra gill slits.