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Glite Dictionary
family Ostreidae

family Ostreidae

1 7.5
A group of shellfish called oysters that live in the sea and include types people eat
  • noun
  • Specialized
: familia Ostreidae
  • Marine biologists study the family Ostreidae to better understand oyster reefs and their ecosystems.

Examples

  • The family Ostreidae includes species commonly consumed as delicacies around the world.

  • Members of the family Ostreidae are found in both temperate and tropical coastal waters.

  • The family Ostreidae includes many popular edible oysters.

  • Did you know that the family Ostreidae is essential for marine ecosystems?

  • The family Ostreidae, which encompasses various types of oysters, is vital for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

  • Many species in the family Ostreidae are harvested for their edible qualities and are enjoyed in culinary dishes worldwide.

  • Researchers focus on the family Ostreidae to learn more about their role in marine habitats and biodiversity.

Synonyms

Ostreidae
vsfamily Ostreidae
  • Specialized
1 9.4

A family of sea animals like oysters that live in two shells

is broader and adds that many members are edible and live in marine habitats

Surface Forms

family Ostreidae singular
families Ostreidae plural

Morphology

family + Ostreidae

This phrase is compositionally transparent: 'family' (a taxonomic grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Ostreidae' yields the meaning 'the family called Ostreidae (oysters)'. Although technical, the structure follows common cross-linguistic taxonomic naming patterns, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Family Ostreidae comes from the old word ostrea, which meant 'oyster' in Latin and Greek. Early naturalists used the name Ostreidae to label this group of shellfish, so the name today simply means 'oyster family'.