basking shark
1
5.1
- noun
- /ˈbæskɪŋ ʃɑrk/
:
tiburón peregrino
- A group of basking sharks swam peacefully near the surface, filtering plankton from the water.
- basking shark sightings
- abundance of basking sharks
- number of basking sharks
Examples
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Seventy-four basking sharks were counted in the northeast portion of Monterey Bay, within 1.5 miles of shore.
Academic text (1990) -
Four basking sharks were recorded off northwest Baja California, Mexico.
Academic text (1990) -
Aerial spotters under contract were also asked to make note of any basking sharks observed.
Academic text (1990) -
The number of flights conducted north of Point Conception in the areas of higher basking shark abundance was much greater before 1970 than after.
Academic text (1990) -
During the months of high phytoplankton volumes, the occurrence of basking sharks is low.
Academic text (1990) -
A comparison is made of the seasonal occurrence of phytoplankton off the central California coast and the abundance of basking sharks.
Academic text (1990) -
For instance, 156 basking sharks were tagged by members of the CSTP, but none have been recaptured.
Academic text (1998) -
Basking sharks, like many other elasmobranchs, have a slow growth rate and low fecundity (Holden, 1973).
Academic text (1990) -
Historical experience in other areas of the world indicates that basking sharks cannot sustain a prolonged intensive fishery (FAO, 1984).
Academic text (1990) -
A total of 399 sightings totaling 8,709 basking sharks were recorded for the coastal area from Port Hueneme to Santa Cruz, Calif.
Academic text (1990)
Synonyms
A very large harmless shark that swims slowly near the water surface and eats plankton
Surface Forms
Morphology
A B1 learner who knows 'bask' and 'shark' can reasonably infer that a 'basking shark' is a shark that 'basks' or stays at the surface, so the core idea is derivable from the parts. However, using 'bask' for a shark is somewhat metaphorical (referring to surface‑feeding/loitering rather than sunning) and finer details such as harmlessness and plankton feeding are not predictable from the constituents, so the transparency is partial.
Etymology
The name basking shark comes from people who saw the big shark moving slowly at the top of the water with its mouth open, as if basking or 'lying in the sun'. That's why the name fits this gentle shark that feeds near the surface.