requiem shark
- noun
- /ˈrɛkwiˌɛm ʃɑrk/
- Specialized
:
tiburón requiem
- The bull shark is one of the most well-known requiem sharks found in coastal waters.
Examples
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Some requiem sharks, like the tiger shark, can be dangerous to humans.
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Scientists study requiem sharks to learn more about marine ecosystems and predator behavior.
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The requiem shark is known for its sleek body.
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Many divers are fascinated by the requiem sharks in the ocean.
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Researchers often encounter requiem sharks while exploring coral reefs in tropical waters.
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The great hammerhead is a remarkable species of requiem shark that is often seen hunting in groups.
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Many species of requiem sharks play an important role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.
How Dangerous
5
3.9
- Specialized
7
6.7
- Specialized
4
4.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
requiem + shark
Even if a learner knows 'requiem' (usually a funeral mass) and 'shark', the compound does not transparently yield the taxonomic sense 'a member of the Carcharhinidae family' — the first element is etymologically obscure and not semantically linked to shark characteristics. This is a lexicalized, specialized name whose meaning cannot be predicted from its parts, so it would be opaque to a B1 learner.
Etymology
The name requiem shark may come from the old French word requin, which simply meant 'shark'. So today requiem shark is the English name for a group of medium to large sharks.