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Glite Dictionary
Manx shearwater

Manx shearwater

9.4
A small black and white sea bird that flies long distances over the ocean
  • noun
  • /mæŋks ˈʃɪrˌwɔːtər/
translation icon : pardela manesa
  • The Manx shearwater is famous for its long-distance migrations between the North Atlantic and South America.

Examples

  • During the summer, thousands of Manx shearwaters return to breed on remote island colonies.

  • I spotted a Manx shearwater gliding effortlessly above the waves during our boat trip.

  • The Manx shearwater is known for its impressive migrations.

  • Have you ever seen a Manx shearwater in the wild?

  • During the summer, thousands of Manx shearwaters return to breed on remote island colonies.

  • I spotted a Manx shearwater gliding effortlessly above the waves during our boat trip.

  • The Manx shearwater is famous for its long-distance migrations between the North Atlantic and South America.

Synonyms

Puffinus puffinus
vsManx shearwater
  • Specialized
9.9

A small black and white seabird that breeds on islands in the northeastern Atlantic

is the common English name used instead of the Latin form

Surface Forms

Manx shearwater singular
Manx shearwaters plural

Morphology

Manx + shearwater

This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase: 'Manx' denotes origin or association with the Isle of Man and 'shearwater' names a type of seabird, so a learner who knows both words will correctly infer it is the shearwater associated with the Isle of Man. The demonym + species pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English noun-modifier composition, making the meaning immediately recoverable.

Etymology

Manx shearwater comes from the bird's place and its flying style: Manx means from the Isle of Man, and shearwater comes from how it flies very low and seems to shear the water as it skims the waves. So the name helps you picture this seabird and why it makes long sea journeys.