electric ray
1
7.2
- noun
- /ɪˈlɛktrɪk reɪ/
- During our dive, we spotted an electric ray resting on the sea bed with its rounded body perfectly camouflaged.
Examples
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Hiding at the bottom of this tank under the sand is the Torpedo marmorata and it's an electric ray.
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Exhibits feature the electric ray and such life-saving and life-preserving machines as a pacemaker, a defibrillator, and an electrocardiograph.
Academic text (1995) -
The electric ray glided silently over the sandy ocean floor, using its electric organs to sense prey.
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At the aquarium, the electric ray displayed its ability to create electric discharges, fascinating all the visitors.
Synonyms
1
9.6
A flat sea fish that makes strong electric shocks to catch prey
1
9.9
A sea animal like a flat fish that lives on the sea floor and makes strong electric shocks
1
9.9
A sea animal with a round flat body that lives on the sea floor and gives electric shocks
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'electric' (producing electricity) with 'ray' (a type of fish): it denotes a ray that produces electric discharges. This is a straightforward compound following normal English composition and common cross‑linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will likely infer the meaning.
Etymology
Electric ray names a flat sea fish that can make electric shocks. The name paints a simple image: a ray (a flat fish) that is electric, so it gives a 'shock' to stun prey or protect itself, and that is why the name means a ray that gives shocks.