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Glite Dictionary
Cyclopterus lumpus

Cyclopterus lumpus

9.9
A large round northern Atlantic fish with fins joined as a suction cup and eggs sold like caviar
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Ciclópturo lumpus
  • The roe of Cyclopterus lumpus is often dyed and sold as a less expensive alternative to sturgeon caviar.

Examples

  • Marine biologists studied Cyclopterus lumpus to better understand the adaptations of its suction disc.

  • A large Cyclopterus lumpus was caught by fishermen off the Icelandic coast last spring.

  • The Cyclopterus lumpus is known for its unique appearance.

  • Have you ever tasted Cyclopterus lumpus caviar?

  • The roe of Cyclopterus lumpus is often dyed and sold as a less expensive alternative to sturgeon caviar.

  • A large Cyclopterus lumpus was caught by fishermen off the Icelandic coast last spring.

  • Marine biologists studied Cyclopterus lumpus to better understand the adaptations of its suction disc.

Synonyms

lumpfish
vsCyclopterus lumpus
  • UK
1 8.1

A thick marine fish with a sucker-like belly fin valued for fish eggs used like caviar

is the Latin scientific name for the same species
lumpsucker
vsCyclopterus lumpus
1 9.9

A small sea fish that uses a round disc to stick to rocks

is the specific northern species noted for its large body and edible roe

Surface Forms

Cyclopterus lumpus singular
Cyclopterus lumpuses plural

Morphology

Cyclopterus + lumpus

This is a Linnaean binomial: knowing 'Cyclopterus' (a genus of fish with sucking discs) lets a learner infer the item is a fish, but 'lumpus' is not a transparent English morpheme and supplies no clear, predictable sense of body shape or culinary use. Because the genus label gives partial information but the species epithet and specific properties (clumsy, fused pelvic fins, roe used as caviar substitute) are not derivable, the expression is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Cyclopterus lumpus comes from old words: cyclo meaning 'circle', pterus meaning 'fin', and lumpus meaning 'lump'. Picture a round-finned, lump-like fish with a belly 'sucker' — that image helps you remember this thick northern fish whose roe is often sold as a 'caviar substitute'.