agua toad
- noun
- US
- The agua toad is known for its impressive size and voracious appetite for insects.
Examples
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Researchers in Central America have studied the agua toad to understand its ecological impact.
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Farmers appreciate the agua toad because it helps control crop pests naturally.
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The agua toad is known for its size.
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Many farmers appreciate the agua toad for pest control.
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Farmers appreciate the agua toad because it helps control crop pests naturally.
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The agua toad is known for its impressive size and voracious appetite for insects.
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Researchers in Central America have studied the agua toad to understand its ecological impact.
Synonyms
A large toad with bumpy skin from Central America often called the cane toad
A large toad often found near ponds with poisonous skin
Surface Forms
Morphology
agua + toad
If a learner knows 'agua' (Spanish for 'water') and 'toad', they can infer that 'agua toad' refers to a kind of toad associated with water or a specific toad species — the basic referent is compositional. However, the precise properties (very large, Central American, pest-control behaviour) and the Spanish–English mixed form are not fully derivable, so the meaning is only partly predictable.
Etymology
Agua toad: The compound name agua toad comes from the Spanish word agua meaning 'water' and the animal toad, because these large toads often appear near streams and after rain. Farmers saw them eating many crop insects, so the name now refers to a big toad that helps control pests.