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Glite Dictionary
opossum shrimp

opossum shrimp

9.0
A small shrimp-like animal whose females carry eggs and young in a pouch under their legs
  • noun
  • /əˈpɑsəm ʃrɪmp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : camarón opossum
  • Several species of opossum shrimp play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems.

Examples

  • Female opossum shrimp carry their eggs in a brood pouch beneath their legs.

  • The opossum shrimp is fascinating to observe.

  • The scientist studied the behavior of the opossum shrimp in its natural habitat.

  • Did you see the opossum shrimp at the aquarium?

  • The opossum shrimp carries its eggs in a pouch located between its legs.

  • During the research, scientists discovered that the opossum shrimp plays a crucial role in the aquatic food chain.

  • In shallow waters, the opossum shrimp can be found swimming among the seaweed.

Synonyms

order Mysidacea
vsopossum shrimp
  • Archaic
9.9

Small shrimp-like animals that live in the sea and fresh water whose females carry eggs in a pouch

refers to the individual small crustacean whose females carry eggs in a pouch
Mysidacea
vsopossum shrimp
  • Specialized
9.9

Small shrimp-like animals that live in fresh water or the sea

refers to the individual small crustacean whose females carry eggs in a pouch

Surface Forms

opossum shrimp singular
opossum shrimps plural

Morphology

opossum + shrimp

The compound is compositional: 'opossum' evokes a pouch-carrying marsupial and 'shrimp' denotes a small crustacean, so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a shrimp that carries young in a pouch. This follows regular noun–noun compounding patterns and is therefore directly understandable to B1 learners familiar with the constituents.

Etymology

Opossum shrimp gets its name from the way the tiny shrimp mothers carry their eggs and young in a pouch under their legs, like an opossum carrying babies in its pouch. That's why the name means this small crustacean that keeps its young in a pouch.