crested cariama
- noun
- /ˈkrɛstɪd kəˈriːəmə/
- Specialized
:
cariama crestada
- The crested cariama uses its powerful legs to run swiftly across the grasslands of Brazil.
Examples
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Unlike most birds, the crested cariama rarely flies and prefers to stay on the ground.
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The crested cariama is known for its striking appearance.
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A crested cariama can often be seen hunting insects and small reptiles in open fields.
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Many crested cariamas can be found in Brazil.
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While hiking in Brazil, we spotted a crested cariama running gracefully across the open grassland.
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The crested cariama is known for its striking crest and can often be found in the wetlands of South America.
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Birdwatchers flock to the region to catch a glimpse of the rare crested cariama in its natural habitat.
Synonyms
A large South American bird with long legs, red feet, and a loud call
A large ground bird with a crest and long legs from South America
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'crested' (having a head tuft) modifies 'Cariama' (a large South American bird), so the meaning is simply a Cariama with a crest. This follows the common adjective + noun pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Crested cariama is a name that paints a clear picture: crested shows the tall feather on its head and cariama is the bird's South American name. So the name helps you imagine a long-legged bird with a crest that usually walks or runs on the ground.
