Australian lungfish
- noun
- Australian
:
pez pulmonado australiano
- The unique ability of the Australian lungfish to breathe air sets it apart from most other fish.
Examples
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Scientists monitor the populations of the Australian lungfish to protect it from extinction.
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The Australian lungfish is considered a living fossil because of its ancient lineage.
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The Australian lungfish is known for its ability to breathe air.
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Have you ever seen an Australian lungfish in the wild?
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Scientists monitor the populations of the Australian lungfish to protect it from extinction.
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The Australian lungfish is considered a living fossil because of its ancient lineage.
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The unique ability of the Australian lungfish to breathe air sets it apart from most other fish.
Synonyms
A large freshwater fish that breathes air, lives in Queensland rivers, and is endangered
A rare endangered freshwater fish from Queensland rivers that breathes air with one lung
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun combination: 'Australian' (from Australia) + 'lungfish' (a fish with lungs), so a learner who knows both words will infer it refers to a lungfish from Australia. This compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically and involves no idiomatic or metaphorical shift, making the meaning directly derivable.
Etymology
The name Australian lungfish comes from where it lives and how it breathes: Australian because it lives in rivers in Australia, and lungfish because it has a lung-like organ and can 'breathe air' as well as use gills. So the name helps you remember this rare fish that can live in water and breathe air.
