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shovelnose

shovelnose

7.7
Having a wide, flat snout like a shovel that helps dig in soft ground
  • adjective
  • /ˈʃoʊvəlˌnoʊz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : con hocico en pala
  • The shovelnose sturgeon is easily recognized by its wide, flattened snout.

Examples

  • Researchers observed a shovelnose ray gliding along the sandy ocean floor.

  • Many species of shovelnose fish are found in freshwater.

  • Many species with a shovelnose adaptation are well suited to digging in soft substrates.

  • The shovelnose ray glided gracefully through the water.

  • The shovelnose sturgeon is easily recognized by its wide, flat snout that resembles a shovel.

  • Researchers observed a shovelnose ray gliding over the sandy ocean floor with its broad snout.

  • Many species with a shovelnose design are adapted for burrowing in soft substrates.

Compounds

shovelnose catfish
  • Specialized
8.2

A large river fish with a flat head and a long pointed nose found in central United States

Surface Forms

shovelnose positive

Morphology

shovelnose = shovel + nose (transparent) = shovel + nose

The meaning is directly compositional: a nose shaped like a shovel (shovel + nose) and is easily guessed by learners.

Etymology

Shovelnose comes from joining shovel ('a tool for digging') and nose ('the front part of the face'). The image of a 'nose like a shovel' helps you remember it: it describes a wide, flat snout that animals use to dig or search in mud and sand.