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Glite Dictionary
Patella vulgata

Patella vulgata

9.5
A small sea animal with a hard cone shell that clings to rocks and is eaten in some coastal areas
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Patella vulgata
  • The rocky shoreline was covered with Patella vulgata, clinging tightly to the stones.

Examples

  • Chefs in some coastal regions use Patella vulgata in traditional seafood dishes.

  • Researchers observed the feeding patterns of Patella vulgata at low tide.

  • The Patella vulgata is often found in tidal pools.

  • Have you ever tried Patella vulgata in a seafood dish?

  • In Spain, many restaurants serve Patella vulgata grilled with garlic butter.

  • During our beach visit, we found several Patella vulgata stuck to the rocks.

  • The local fishermen collected Patella vulgata to sell at the weekly market.

Synonyms

common limpet
vsPatella vulgata
  • UK
7.6

A small sea animal with a cone-shaped shell that clings tightly to rocks

is the scientific name for the same edible rock-dwelling mollusk

Surface Forms

Patella vulgata singular
Patella vulgatas plural

Morphology

Patella + vulgata

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name rather than a standard English multiword construction, so its meaning is not transparently built from everyday English words. The second element 'vulgata' is not an English dictionary word here, and even if a learner knows 'Patella' as a limpet they would not reliably infer the specific sense 'common species' without knowledge of Latin or taxonomic conventions.

Etymology

Patella vulgata gets its name from old Latin words: patella meant 'small pan or dish' and vulgata meant 'common'. The shell looks like a little dish stuck to the rocks, and because this limpet is a common, edible sea animal, the name helps you remember what it is.