diving petrel
- noun
- Australian
:
petrel buceador
- Unlike most seabirds, the diving petrel uses its wings to propel itself underwater.
Examples
-
We spotted a flock of diving petrels skimming across the waves near the Antarctic coast.
-
Many diving petrels can be spotted near the coast of New Zealand.
-
The diving petrel plunged into the sea in search of food.
-
The diving petrel is known for its remarkable diving skills.
-
The diving petrel plunged into the sea in search of food.
-
Unlike most seabirds, the diving petrel uses its wings to propel itself underwater.
-
We spotted a flock of diving petrels skimming across the waves near the Antarctic coast.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase denotes a petrel that dives, so its meaning is directly and predictably built from 'diving' (diving activity) + 'petrel' (a seabird). This modifier+noun composition is a common and transparent pattern cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Diving petrel is named for what the bird does and for the kind of bird it is. The word diving shows it goes under the sea to catch food, and petrel is a small seabird named after Saint Peter because it seems to 'run on the water' when it takes off. So the name helps you remember a tiny seabird that dives for its food.
