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Glite Dictionary
family Majidae

family Majidae

9.5
A group of sea crabs with long legs and shells with spines
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia Majidae
  • The family Majidae includes various species commonly known as spider crabs.

Examples

  • Members of the family Majidae are known for their spindly legs and camouflaged bodies.

  • Marine biologists study the family Majidae to understand the adaptations of spider crabs.

  • The family Majidae includes many fascinating species.

  • I saw a family Majidae crab at the aquarium.

  • Marine biologists study the family Majidae to understand the adaptations of spider crabs.

  • Members of the family Majidae are known for their spindly legs and camouflaged bodies.

  • The family Majidae includes various species commonly known as spider crabs.

Synonyms

Majidae
vsfamily Majidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of sea crabs with long, thin legs and triangle-shaped bodies

is the same family but has rounded spiny shells instead of triangular bodies

Surface Forms

family Majidae singular
families Majidae plural

Morphology

family + Majidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic composition: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the proper name 'Majidae' denotes the taxonomic family of Majidae crabs. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can immediately infer this meaning because the pattern 'family + taxon name' is compositional and cross-linguistically common.

Etymology

Family Majidae comes from the name of a common spider crab, Maja, and is used to name the whole family of similar crabs called Majidae. Because these crabs have long, spider-like legs and rough shells, the term refers today to the group we call 'spider crabs'.