true seal
- noun
- /tru sil/
- Specialized
:
foca verdadera
- Unlike the sea lion, the true seal does not have external ears.
Examples
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Scientists study the swimming techniques of the true seal to understand their aquatic adaptations.
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Many true seals inhabit the icy waters of the Arctic.
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The harbor true seal is commonly found along northern coastlines.
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The true seal is known for its streamlined body.
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Many true seals inhabit the icy waters of the Arctic, where they rely on their flippers for efficient swimming.
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The harbor true seal is a common sight on northern coastlines, often spotted lounging on rocky shores.
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Scientists have discovered that the true seal can hold its breath underwater for up to an hour while hunting.
Synonyms
A group of sea mammals without external ear flaps, like harbor and grey seals
A sea animal with no outside ear flaps and back flippers for swimming
A sea animal with no outer ears, a stiff coat of hair, and back legs like flippers
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'true seal' is partly transparent because a B1 learner who knows 'true' (genuine) and 'seal' (marine mammal) will infer it denotes a kind or specific seal rather than an unrelated idiom. However, the established zoological meaning — a technical taxonomic group (Phocidae) with specific anatomical traits — is specialized and not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so full understanding requires prior exposure or domain knowledge.
Etymology
The name true seal comes from early scientists who used true to mean 'real' and wanted to mark these animals as the typical seal. These seals have no outside ear flaps and swim with short back flippers rather than long front flippers. So true seal now means the seals without visible ears.
