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Glite Dictionary
plains spadefoot

plains spadefoot

8.4
A small toad that lives in the plains and river valleys of central North America east of the Rocky Mountains
  • noun
  • /pleɪnz ˈspeɪdˌfʊt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sapo de pie plano
  • The plains spadefoot is known for its distinctive call.

Examples

  • Many plains spadefoots can be found during the rainy season.

  • Researchers observed a population of plains spadefoot toads near the riverbanks this summer.

  • During spring rains, plains spadefoot toads emerge from burrows to breed in temporary pools.

  • Researchers observed a population of plains spadefoot near the riverbanks this summer.

  • The call of the plains spadefoot is often heard at night on the open prairie.

  • During spring rains, plains spadefoot toads emerge from burrows to breed in temporary pools.

  • The call of the plains spadefoot toad is often heard at night on the open prairie.

Synonyms

Scaphiopus bombifrons
vsplains spadefoot
  • Specialized
9.9

A small toad that lives in dry plains, digs holes, and breeds in temporary pools

is found across central North America and does not stress dry habitats

Surface Forms

plains spadefoot singular
plains spadefoots plural

Morphology

plain + spadefoot

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'plains' (habitat) with 'spadefoot' (a type of digging toad): it denotes a spadefoot toad found in the plains. This noun–noun species-naming pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The name plains spadefoot comes from plains, the flat land where it lives, and spadefoot because this 'toad' has a hard, spade-shaped part on its back foot used for digging. So the name tells you it is a 'toad' that digs in the plains.