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Glite Dictionary
Platichthys flesus

Platichthys flesus

9.9
A flat fish from European coastal waters that people eat
  • noun
  • Specialized
: platija europea
  • Fishermen in the Baltic Sea often catch Platichthys flesus in their nets.

Examples

  • The population of Platichthys flesus has declined due to pollution in European waters.

  • The Platichthys flesus is often found in shallow coastal waters.

  • Chefs prepare Platichthys flesus in a variety of traditional European dishes.

  • Many fishermen target the Platichthys flesus for its delicious taste.

  • Chefs prepare Platichthys flesus in a variety of traditional European dishes.

  • Fishermen in the Baltic Sea often catch Platichthys flesus in their nets.

  • Many fishermen target the Platichthys flesus for its delicious taste.

Synonyms

European flatfish
vsPlatichthys flesus
  • UK
4.1

A flat fish found in European seas that people eat

is the precise scientific species name for that same fish

Surface Forms

Platichthys flesus singular
Platichthys flesuses plural

Morphology

Platichthys + flesus

This is a Latin binomial scientific name composed of a genus proper noun and a specific epithet, not a compositional everyday English phrase; knowing the listed constituents (a Latin genus name and an unknown item) does not let a B1 learner infer 'European flounder' or 'flatfish'. Deriving the biological meaning would require specialist etymological or taxonomic knowledge beyond B1, so the expression is not transparently interpretable from its parts.

Etymology

Platichthys flesus comes from old Greek words: platys meaning 'flat' and ichthys meaning 'fish', because this animal has a flat body and lies on the sea bottom. So the name fits the species we call the 'European flounder'.