sheep tick
- noun
- /ʃip tɪk/
:
garrapata de oveja
- A veterinarian inspected the flock for sheep ticks after several animals showed signs of discomfort.
Examples
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If left untreated, sheep ticks can cause irritation and disease in livestock.
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The sheep tick is a common problem for farmers during the summer months.
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The sheep tick infests the flock.
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Farmers often struggle with sheep ticks.
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A veterinarian inspected the flock for sheep ticks after several animals showed signs of discomfort.
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If left untreated, sheep ticks can cause irritation and disease in livestock.
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The sheep tick is a common problem for farmers during the summer months.
Synonyms
50
6.7
A small animal that sticks to the skin and sucks blood from animals or people
1
9.9
A small fly without wings that lives on sheep and other animals and drinks their blood
A small parasite that sticks to sheep and other animals and can spread disease to animals and people
A small wingless fly that lives on sheep and drinks their blood
A wingless fly that lives on sheep and sometimes cattle and feeds on their blood
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a small blood-feeding parasite that lives on sheep' is directly and transparently compositional from 'sheep' + 'tick' — it denotes a tick associated with sheep. This follows a regular English compound pattern (animal + parasite) that is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Sheep tick uses the parts sheep and tick to paint a clear picture: a tiny tick living in a sheep's wool that sticks to the skin and 'drinks blood'. Because these bites can 'spread disease', the name means a small blood-feeding parasite found on sheep.