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Glite Dictionary
🦭 Seal-shaped 🌊 Seal-related
phociform

phociform

1 9.9
A body shape like a seal
  • adjective
  • /ˈfoʊsɪˌfɔrm/
  • Specialized
: fociforme
  • The otter's phociform body helps it glide smoothly through the water.

Examples

  • With its phociform limbs, the animal was well adapted to an aquatic lifestyle.

  • The phociform design of the sculpture captured the essence of marine life.

  • Scientists noted the phociform features of the extinct marine mammal.

  • The artist's phociform creations are inspired by the ocean.

  • The scientists observed several phociform traits in the newly discovered species, indicating its close relation to seals.

  • The animal's phociform structure allowed it to navigate through the water effortlessly.

  • Her painting featured a phociform silhouette, reminiscent of seals lounging on the beach.

Synonyms

phocine
vsphociform
  • Specialized
9.9

Relating to the animals known as seals

describes a shape or form that looks like a seal

Surface Forms

phociform positive

Morphology

phociform = form (semi-transparent) = phoc + form

The element 'phoc' is not a standalone English word, but the combining form '-form' is familiar and signals a shape, making the meaning partially guessable.

Etymology

Phociform comes from the Greek root phoc- meaning 'seal' and the ending -form meaning 'shape'. So phociform describes something that 'has the shape of a seal', which helps you remember it for bodies or limbs built for swimming like a seal's.