aculeated edge
- noun
- Specialized
:
borde aculeado
- The aculeated edge of the plant leaf prevents most animals from grazing on it.
Examples
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Scientists observed that the aculeated edge on the seed pod effectively limited its consumption by birds.
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Some insects develop shells with an aculeated edge to ward off predators.
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The leaf had an aculeated edge that protected it from herbivores.
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Many plants develop aculeated edges to deter animals.
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The aculeated edge of the cactus leaf prevents animals from eating it.
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Plants with an aculeated edge are less likely to be grazed by herbivores.
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The aculeated edge on the rose's thorns protects it from being eaten by insects.
Synonyms
A sharp point or sting on animals and plants used to protect them
Antonyms
How Sharp
Surface Forms
Morphology
If a learner knows 'aculeated' (having sharp, needle-like projections) and 'edge' (the outer boundary of a surface), they can readily infer that an 'aculeated edge' is an edge bearing sharp, pointed projections. The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition and follows a common cross-linguistic pattern, so its meaning is directly derivable from its parts.
Etymology
The noun aculeated edge shows a clear picture: a leaf or shell with tiny, sharp points along the edge. Those little points make it hard for animals to eat or touch, so they keep animals away. That's why it means 'a sharp, pointed edge that keeps animals away'.