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Glite Dictionary
keyhole limpet

keyhole limpet

9.9
A sea animal like a snail with a cone-shaped shell that has a hole at the top
  • noun
  • /ˈkiːhoʊl ˈlɪmpɪt/
translation icon : lapa de ojo de cerradura
  • Have you ever seen a keyhole limpet in the wild?

Examples

  • Scientists studied the keyhole limpet to understand its unique shell structure.

  • The keyhole limpet is known for its distinctive conical shell with a hole at the top.

  • Researchers studied the keyhole limpet to learn more about marine biodiversity.

  • Several keyhole limpets were found attached to the rocks at low tide.

  • The keyhole limpet is easily recognized by the opening at the top of its shell.

  • The keyhole limpet is often found on rocky shores.

  • During our dive, we spotted a keyhole limpet clinging to a rock in the tide pool.

Synonyms

Fissurella
vskeyhole limpet
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea snail with a cone-shaped shell that has a hole at the top

is the common name used for these animals rather than the formal genus label

Surface Forms

keyhole limpet singular
keyhole limpets plural

Morphology

keyhole + limpet

The noun is a straightforward compound combining 'keyhole' (a hole for a key) with 'limpet' (a marine animal), so the meaning is a limpet that has a keyhole‑shaped hole in its shell. This descriptive, form-based composition follows common compounding patterns and would be inferable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Keyhole limpet is a small sea animal with a cone-shaped shell that has a hole at the top like a keyhole. The word limpet means a small shellfish that clings to rocks, so the picture of a 'keyhole' in a 'limpet' shell explains the name and helps you remember it.