spiny puffer
- noun
- /ˈspaɪni ˈpʌfər/
:
pez globo espinoso
- The spiny puffer inflates itself when threatened, making its spines stand out.
Examples
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The spiny puffer uses its spines to deter predators in the ocean.
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The aquarium recently added a spiny puffer to its marine exhibit.
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Many divers are intrigued by the unique defense mechanisms of the spiny puffer.
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The spiny puffer is known for its unique appearance.
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Have you ever seen a spiny puffer in the wild?
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In the aquarium, visitors can observe the spiny puffer as it swims among the coral.
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While snorkeling, I was excited to spot a spiny puffer hiding among the rocks.
Synonyms
4
6.9
A marine fish with spines that fills its body to look like a ball and scare predators, sometimes poisonous
1
6.3
A fish that becomes round and is often poisonous
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'spiny' (having sharp points) modifies 'puffer' (a pufferfish), so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a pufferfish with rigid or erectile spines. This adjective+noun structure is a common and predictable pattern cross-linguistically, making the phrase immediately understandable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Spiny puffer: The name spiny puffer comes from what the fish does: the puffer blows itself up and the sharp spines on its body stand out. So the name means 'a pufferfish with stiff spines'.