three-spined stickleback
- noun
- /θriː spaɪnd ˈstɪkəlbæk/
- UK
:
espinoso de tres espinas
- Researchers found that the three-spined stickleback has adapted well to both freshwater and coastal environments.
Examples
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In freshwater streams, the three-spined stickleback often builds elaborate nests to protect its eggs.
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The three-spined stickleback is known for its distinctive sharp spines along its back.
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Three-spined sticklebacks are common in many European streams and ponds.
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Scientists study the three-spined stickleback for research on animal behavior and evolution.
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The three-spined stickleback builds intricate nests to protect its eggs.
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The three-spined stickleback is often found in shallow waters.
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Many three-spined sticklebacks inhabit the rivers of North America.
Synonyms
1
8.6
A small fish with sharp spines on its back that lives in rivers and by the sea
A small northern fish with three sharp spines that lives in rivers and near coasts
Surface Forms
Morphology
three-spined + stickleback
The phrase is fully compositional: 'three-spined' plainly means 'having three spines' and 'stickleback' names a small fish with a spiny back, so the combined meaning is a stickleback that has three spines. This follows a regular number + adjective + noun compounding pattern that is literal and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would understand it.
Etymology
Three-spined stickleback is a picture of the fish: three-spined means it has three sharp spines on its back and stickleback is a name for a 'small, bony-backed' fish. So the name simply tells you it is a small fish with three sharp spines.