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Glite Dictionary
snapping shrimp

snapping shrimp

7.8
A small sea shrimp that makes a loud snap with one large claw
  • noun
  • /ˈsnæpɪŋ ʃrɪmp/
translation icon : camarón chasqueador

Examples

  • He also studies the complicated family lifestyles of Caribbean sponge-dwelling snapping shrimp.

    Academic text (2009)

  • According to Oxford, pistol or snapping shrimps close their enlarged claws at a rapid speed to create an imploding bubble.

  • Scientists discovered that the distinct sound in the reef was produced by snapping shrimp using their enlarged claws.

  • While exploring the coastline, we observed many snapping shrimp making loud noises as they communicated.

  • These snapping shrimp are known for their ability to create a loud snapping sound that can be heard underwater.

Synonyms

pistol shrimp
vssnapping shrimp
7.8

A small sea animal with one large claw that snaps loudly to stun prey

is known mainly for making a loud sound with an enlarged claw

Surface Forms

snapping shrimp singular
snapping shrimps plural

Morphology

snap + shrimp

The phrase is a straightforward present-participle modifier: 'snapping' (making a sudden sharp sound) describes the noun 'shrimp', so the compound denotes a shrimp that produces a snapping sound. This compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The name snapping shrimp comes from the shrimp's large claw that closes so fast it makes a loud 'snap' underwater. That snapping sound helps the shrimp stun prey and talk to others, so the name describes what the animal does.