blue shark
4
4.5
- noun
- /blu ʃɑrk/
:
tiburón azul
- The blue shark, Prionace glauca, presented us with unique problems in portraying the tagging data.
Examples
-
While swimming in the ocean, I spotted a sleek blue shark swimming gracefully by.
-
The blue shark, for example, is an abundant species, and because of its low economic value, many are released.
Academic text (1998) -
Eight species occur in the South Atlantic, and one species, the blue shark, shows evidence of crossing the equator.
Academic text (1998) -
The blue shark data were therefore divided into eight regions, and sex ratios (males to females) were determined for each region.
Academic text (1998) -
For example, 22,500 blue sharks were tagged within a 60-mile radius of Montauk Point, Long Island, N.Y., during the study period.
Academic text (1998) -
Because previous studies have shown that the blue shark typically is an oceanic species, its relative abundance might be expected to decline across these areas (Strassburg, 1958; Hazin et al., 1990).
Academic text (1998) -
The dive instructor explained that the blue shark is known for its speed and agility.
-
Many people fear the blue shark because it is considered potentially dangerous to humans.
Synonyms
A long thin blue shark with a white belly that lives in open oceans and can harm people
A large shark with a blue back and white belly that lives in the open sea and can be dangerous
How Dangerous
5
3.9
- Specialized
7
6.7
- Specialized
4
4.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a shark that is blue' is directly and literally derived from 'blue' (a color) modifying 'shark' (an ocean fish). Color + animal noun phrases are cross-linguistically common and follow standard compositional patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
The name blue shark comes from the words blue and shark: fishermen and sailors used the shark's deep blue back as an easy sign to tell it apart, so people started calling that animal the blue shark. That's why today the name means this fast, slender shark with a blue back and white belly.