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Glite Dictionary
star-nosed mole

star-nosed mole

9.9
A small North American mole that lives in wet ground with a pink nose of many tentacles to find food
  • noun
  • /ˈstɑrˌnoʊzd moʊl/
  • US
translation icon : topo de nariz estrellada
  • The star-nosed mole is famous for its unusual nose covered in sensitive tentacles.

Examples

  • Biologists studied the habitat of the star-nosed mole in wetland areas.

  • A star-nosed mole can detect and eat its prey with astonishing speed.

  • The star-nosed mole is a fascinating creature.

  • I saw a star-nosed mole at the wildlife park.

  • In wetlands, the star-nosed mole uses its tentacles to sense food hidden in the mud.

  • The star-nosed mole, with its unique nose, is well adapted to its environment for finding insects.

  • I spotted a star-nosed mole while walking near the marsh, and its distinctive nose caught my attention.

Synonyms

starnose mole
vsstar-nosed mole
  • US
9.9

A small mole found in eastern North America that lives in water and has many pink tentacles on its nose

is the hyphenated, standard written form of the same name
Condylura cristata
vsstar-nosed mole
  • Specialized
9.9

A small mole with a pink star-shaped ring of feelers on its nose that it uses to find food

is the common English name rather than the scientific Latin term

Surface Forms

star-nosed mole singular
star-nosed moles plural

Morphology

star-nosed + mole

The compound is compositional: 'star-nosed' can be parsed as 'having a star-shaped nose' and 'mole' is a small subterranean mammal, so a B1 learner who knows the parts can infer it refers to a mole with a star-shaped/remarkable nose. This follows normal English compounding patterns and is therefore readily predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

Star-nosed mole is named for the pink ring of tiny touch organs on its nose that form a small star. These sensitive parts help the mole 'find food' very quickly in wet ground, so the name points to both its shape and what the animal does.