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Glite Dictionary
family Cynoglossidae

family Cynoglossidae

9.6
A group of flat fish called tonguefishes that live in the sea or in slightly salty water
  • noun
  • Specialized
: familia Cynoglossidae
  • The family Cynoglossidae comprises many species adapted to living on sandy seabeds.

Examples

  • Scientists have discovered a new species in the family Cynoglossidae living in the river delta.

  • Did you know that the family Cynoglossidae is known for its unique flat shape?

  • Researchers are studying the distribution patterns of the family Cynoglossidae in different marine regions.

  • The family Cynoglossidae includes various species of tonguefishes.

  • Researchers are studying the distribution patterns of the family Cynoglossidae in different marine regions.

  • The family Cynoglossidae comprises many species that are adapted to living on sandy seabeds.

  • Did you know that the family Cynoglossidae is known for its unique flat shape?

Synonyms

Cynoglossidae
vsfamily Cynoglossidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of flat fish with long, tongue-shaped bodies found in warm coastal waters

is found more widely in marine and brackish waters

Surface Forms

family Cynoglossidae singular
families Cynoglossidae plural

Morphology

family + Cynoglossidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase: the generic noun 'family' combined with the taxon name 'Cynoglossidae', so the meaning (a group of related flatfish species) is directly compositional. Taxonomic naming follows regular patterns cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the intended meaning without idiomatic knowledge.

Etymology

Family Cynoglossidae comes from Greek parts cyno meaning 'dog' and gloss meaning 'tongue' because these fish have a long, flat body that looks like a tongue. That's why they are called 'tonguefishes' and why the name refers to a group of flatfishes.