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Glite Dictionary
fringe-toed lizard

fringe-toed lizard

8.9
A small desert lizard with long pointed scales on its toes that help it run on sand
  • noun
  • /frɪndʒ-toʊd ˈlɪzərd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lagarto de dedos flecos
  • The fringe-toed lizard is specially adapted to run across loose desert sand.

Examples

  • Unlike other species, the fringe-toed lizard has long scales on its toes that help with burrowing.

  • Scientists observed the unique movement patterns of the fringe-toed lizard in the Mojave Desert.

  • The fringe-toed lizard is well adapted to desert life.

  • Have you ever seen a fringe-toed lizard in the wild?

  • Scientists observed the unique movement patterns of the fringe-toed lizard in the Mojave Desert.

  • The fringe-toed lizard is specially adapted to run across loose desert sand.

  • Unlike other species, the fringe-toed lizard has long scales on its toes that help with burrowing.

Synonyms

Uma notata
vsfringe-toed lizard
  • Specialized
9.9

A lizard that lives in deserts in the United States and Mexico and has long pointed scales on its toes

is the common everyday name for the same desert species

Surface Forms

fringe-toed lizard singular
fringe-toed lizards plural

Morphology

fringe-toed + lizard

The phrase is directly compositional: 'fringe-toed' denotes having fringes on the toes, and combined with 'lizard' yields a lizard with fringed toes. Even though 'fringe-toed' may be uncommon in dictionaries, this descriptive noun–adjective compounding is predictable and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows 'fringe' and 'toe' would infer the meaning.

Etymology

Fringe-toed lizard is named for the long 'fringe' scales on its toes that look like tiny combs or small snowshoes on sand. These fringes help it run and dig in loose desert sand, so the name means 'a lizard with long, pointed scales around its toes' and explains how it moves in the desert.