hairy molly
- noun
- Specialized
- Many aquatic enthusiasts recommend the hairy molly for beginner aquarium setups.
Examples
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The children crowded around the tank to observe the brightly colored hairy molly.
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She added a hairy molly to her collection of tropical fish.
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The hairy molly is a popular choice for aquarists.
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Have you ever seen a hairy molly up close?
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Aquarium owners often praise the hairy molly for its vibrant colors and active behavior.
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The hairy molly is known for its delicate, hair-like features that add beauty to any tank.
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When setting up an aquarium, adding a hairy molly can enhance the tank's aesthetic appeal.
Synonyms
A small freshwater fish with short stiff hairs on its fins often kept in aquariums
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'hairy' modifies 'molly' to indicate a molly fish with hair-like features, so a learner who knows both words can reliably infer this meaning. This follows a basic adjective + noun pattern common across languages, making the expression immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.
Etymology
Hairy molly may come from the fish's look: some small freshwater 'mollies' grow very thin, 'hair-like' threads on their fins or body, so people began calling them a hairy molly. That's why today hairy molly means a kind of aquarium 'fish' with fine hair-like features.