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Glite Dictionary
rough-skinned newt

rough-skinned newt

1 8.8
A small salamander with rough skin that lives near streams on the Pacific coast
  • noun
  • /rʌf skɪnd njuːt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tritón de piel rugosa
  • The rough-skinned newt is known for its distinctive texture and can often be found near damp areas.

Examples

  • Hikers in Oregon may spot a rough-skinned newt near streams and ponds.

  • The rough-skinned newt secretes a strong toxin as a defense against predators.

  • Biologists tracked the migration patterns of several rough-skinned newts along the Pacific coast.

  • The rough-skinned newt is often found near water.

  • Have you ever seen a rough-skinned newt in the wild?

  • While hiking along the coast, I spotted a vibrant rough-skinned newt basking on a rock.

  • During my biology class, we learned that the rough-skinned newt inhabits regions from Alaska to southern California.

Synonyms

Taricha granulosa
vsrough-skinned newt
  • Specialized
9.9

A small newt with very poisonous skin found along the Pacific coast

focuses on rough skin texture rather than on chemical toxicity

Surface Forms

rough-skinned newt singular
rough-skinned newts plural

Morphology

rough-skinned + newt

The meaning 'a species of newt with rough skin' is directly and transparently derived from combining the adjective 'rough‑skinned' (having rough skin) with the noun 'newt'. Adjective + noun composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Rough-skinned newt is a name that tells you what the animal is: rough and skinned point to its bumpy skin and newt means a small amphibian. Its rough skin often holds a strong 'poison' to protect it, so the name helps you remember this particular coastal newt.