butterfly ray

1 8.1

A large flat sea animal with a very wide body and a short tail

noun
/ˈbʌtərflaɪ reɪ/

Specialized

: raya mariposa

There were also plenty of horseshoe crabs, butterfly rays, Atlantic spadefish, and flounder.

Examples

The Australian butterfly ray glided gracefully over the sandy ocean floor.
Visitors at the aquarium were fascinated by the large butterfly rays swimming in the exhibit.
As we explored the reef, we spotted a butterfly ray resting under a coral ledge.

Synonyms

stingray

vsbutterfly ray

16 4.1

A large flat sea fish with a long thin tail that can sting

has a much shorter tail and lacks long venomous barbed spines

ray

vsbutterfly ray

9 4.2

A flat fish with wide fins that looks like wings

refers to a specific family with very broad flat bodies and short tails

Gymnura

vsbutterfly ray

Specialized

9.9

A large ray with wide, wing-like fins that lives in warm coastal waters

is the broader family term for very broad flat species with short tails

Surface Forms

butterfly ray singular

butterfly rays plural

Morphology

butterfly + ray

The compound is compositionally a 'ray' modified by 'butterfly'—a ray that resembles or has butterfly-like, broad winged characteristics. This noun+noun naming pattern is straightforward and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows 'butterfly' and 'ray' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Butterfly ray is named for the fish's very wide, flat body and wing-like fins that look like a butterfly. So the name helps you picture this ray ('stingray') with a broad shape and a short tail.