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pumpkinseed

pumpkinseed

1 8.2
Small bright fish that lives in lakes and streams in North America
  • noun
  • /ˈpʌmpkɪnˌsiːd/
  • US
translation icon : pez calabaza
  • In many lakes, the pumpkinseed coexists with other sunfish, providing a vibrant display of colors.
  • pumpkinseed sunfish
  • bluegill and pumpkinseed

Examples

  • And how did you ever discover pumpkinseed oil?

    Blog text (19)
  • The pumpkinseed is a popular catch among freshwater anglers in North America.

  • During summer, children love to catch the brightly colored pumpkinseed in local ponds.

Synonyms

Lepomis gibbosus
vspumpkinseed
  • Specialized
9.9

A small bright fish that lives in fresh water in North America

is the common everyday name used in normal speech

Surface Forms

pumpkinseed singular
pumpkinseeds plural

Morphology

pumpkinseed = pumpkin + seed (opaque) = pumpkin + seed

Although clearly formed from 'pumpkin' + 'seed', the compound refers to a fish species, not a botanical seed, so the meaning is not derivable by a typical learner.

Etymology

Pumpkinseed is a simple English name made from pumpkin and seed. A helpful way to remember it is that this small, brightly colored freshwater fish has bright orange marks like a tiny pumpkin and is small like a seed, so the name points to a 'small, pumpkin-coloured fish'.