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Glite Dictionary
giant petrel

giant petrel

8.1
A large seabird like a big seagull that lives near Antarctic seas and eats dead animals, fish, and squid
  • noun
  • Australian
translation icon : petrel gigante
  • Many giant petrels can be seen in the Southern Ocean.
  • southern giant petrel

Examples

  • Researchers observed several giant petrels nesting along the rocky coast.

  • During the expedition, we spotted a giant petrel soaring above the icy waters.

  • The giant petrel feeds on carrion as well as fish and squid.

  • The giant petrel is known for its impressive wingspan.

  • As we observed the coastline, a giant petrel soared gracefully above the waves, searching for food.

  • The researcher pointed out that the giant petrel is known for its impressive wingspan and scavenging behavior.

  • During our trip to Antarctica, we spotted several giant petrels nesting on the rocky cliffs along the shore.

Synonyms

Macronectes giganteus
vsgiant petrel
  • Specialized
9.9

A large brown seabird that lives in Antarctic seas

is the general common name for the same bird rather than scientific term
giant fulmar
vsgiant petrel
9.8

A large brown seabird that lives near Antarctica

is the standard common name used for that bird in general contexts
Macronectes
vsgiant petrel
  • Specialized
9.9

The scientific name for a group of large seabirds that eat dead animals in the southern oceans

names the single species bird mainly seen in Antarctic seas rather than the genus

Surface Forms

giant petrel singular
giant petrels plural

Morphology

giant + petrel

The meaning is directly compositional: 'giant' (very large) modifies 'petrel' (a type of seabird), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a very large petrel. This follows a transparent adjective + noun pattern common across languages and requires no idiomatic or metaphorical knowledge.

Etymology

Giant petrel is a plain descriptive name: petrel is the name for a seabird and giant shows this bird is much larger than other petrels. Because these large, brown birds often fly over Antarctic seas and feed on dead animals and fish, the simple image of a very big petrel explains the name today.