sand tiger
1
8.2
- noun
- /sænd ˈtaɪɡər/
- US
:
tiburón tigre
- sand tiger, Odontaspis taurus
Examples
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I've swum with sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, and will be doing a tiger shark expedition in 2013.
Blog text (15) -
The sand tiger shark can grow up to 10 feet long and is often found in shallow waters.
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Divers encounter sand tiger sharks while exploring the reefs of the Atlantic Ocean.
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Known for their jagged teeth, sand tiger sharks can sometimes be dangerous to swimmers.
Synonyms
A large shark with sharp, jagged teeth that lives in shallow coastal waters
A large shark with sharp teeth that lives near Atlantic coasts and sometimes comes near swimmers
Surface Forms
Morphology
sand + tiger
The parts 'sand' (habitat) and 'tiger' (a predatory animal or a visual descriptor) give some clues about a predator associated with sandy areas, but they do not transparently indicate that the referent is a shark. As this is a lexicalized species name whose specific marine meaning is not directly derivable from the constituents, it is only partially predictable to learners.
Etymology
Sand tiger comes from the shark's sandy color and its tiger-like teeth, so think sand for the shallow shore where it lives and tiger for its sharp, fierce mouth. So the name helps you remember a large, shallow-water shark with sharp teeth that looks 'dangerous' but usually avoids people.