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Glite Dictionary
Amia calva

Amia calva

9.9
A long freshwater fish from North America that eats other animals and has a long back fin
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪmiə ˈkælvə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Amia calva
  • Unlike many fish, Amia calva can breathe air thanks to a specialized swim bladder.

Examples

  • The Amia calva is often studied for its unique evolutionary features.

  • The Amia calva is often found in weedy areas of lakes.

  • Fishermen occasionally catch Amia calva in the quiet lakes of the Midwest.

  • Many anglers enjoy fishing for Amia calva in the summer.

  • Many anglers enjoy fishing for Amia calva in the summer when they are more active.

  • The Amia calva is often found in weedy areas of lakes, where it hunts for small prey.

  • Fishermen occasionally catch Amia calva in the quiet lakes of the Midwest during their expeditions.

Synonyms

grindle
vsAmia calva
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A long freshwater fish with a very long top fin that eats other fish

is identical in meaning but uses the formal scientific label instead
dogfish
vsAmia calva
  • Specialized
1 8.7

A long thin freshwater fish with a very long fin that eats other fish

uses the scientific Latin name instead of the ordinary common term
bowfin
vsAmia calva
  • Specialized
9.9

A long freshwater fish from North America with a long back fin often found in slow, weedy water

is the scientific Latin name rather than the common English name

Surface Forms

Amia calva singular
Amia calvas plural

Morphology

Amia + calva

This is a Latin scientific binomial (Amia calva) used as a conventional species name rather than a compositional English phrase; its meaning ('bowfin') is a lexical label not derivable from the parts. The second element 'calva' is not a common English word and taxonomic naming conventions are not accessible to an average B1 learner, so the species meaning would be unpredictable from the constituents.

Etymology

Amia calva may come from old words that describe the fish's look. Its long, curved back fin looks like a bow (so people call it the 'bowfin'), and 'calva' means 'bald', perhaps for its smooth head, so the name helps you remember this long freshwater fish.