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Glite Dictionary
family Molidae

family Molidae

8.9
A group of large ocean sunfish with flat bodies and small mouths
  • noun
  • Specialized
: familia Molidae
  • Members of the family Molidae are known for their large size and flattened bodies.

Examples

  • The family Molidae includes some of the largest fish in the ocean.

  • The unique shape of fishes in the family Molidae makes them easily identifiable to marine biologists.

  • Members of the family Molidae are among the heaviest known bony fishes in the world.

  • Researchers discovered a rare species within the family Molidae during their Pacific expedition.

  • Did you know that the family Molidae consists of sunfishes?

  • Researchers discovered a new species in the family Molidae while studying ocean biodiversity.

  • Fishes belonging to the family Molidae are easily recognizable due to their small mouths and unique shapes.

Synonyms

Molidae
vsfamily Molidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A very large flat sea fish like an ocean sunfish

phrases the same idea as a descriptive group of large ocean sunfishes

Surface Forms

family Molidae singular
families Molidae plural

Morphology

family + Molidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase combining the category 'family' (a scientific grouping) with the name 'Molidae'; a learner who knows both constituents will readily infer it denotes the taxonomic family called Molidae. The construction follows common cross-linguistic patterns for naming biological families, so the meaning is directly compositional and transparent.

Etymology

Family Molidae may come from the Latin word Mola, which means 'millstone', because these sunfishes are round and flat like a big stone. That's why the name fits this group of large, ocean sunfishes.