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Glite Dictionary
rock beauty

rock beauty

8.5
A bright gold and black fish that lives on coral reefs from the Caribbean to Brazil
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : mariposa pez belleza
  • The rock beauty is a colorful fish often found near coral reefs.

Examples

  • The rock beauty is a common sight in coral reefs throughout the Caribbean.

  • We spotted a vibrant rock beauty swimming near the shipwreck.

  • Marine biologists are studying the diet of the rock beauty in coastal waters.

  • The rock beauty is known for its striking colors.

  • Have you ever seen a rock beauty in the wild?

  • Divers frequently encounter the rock beauty while exploring the underwater world.

  • In the waters of the Caribbean, the rock beauty dazzles with its bright coloration.

Synonyms

Holocanthus tricolor
vsrock beauty
  • Specialized
9.9

A bright yellow and black fish that lives on coral reefs in the western Atlantic

is the common gold and black sea species name rather than the scientific term
butterflyfish
vsrock beauty
7.6

A small bright sea fish with flat sides and fanlike fins that swims near coral reefs

is one specific gold and black species within that broader reef group

Surface Forms

rock beauty singular
rock beauties plural

Morphology

rock + beauty

The compound 'rock beauty' is the common name of a specific butterflyfish, but the constituents 'rock' (stone) and 'beauty' (something/someone attractive) do not signal a fish species, its colours, or habitat. As a lexicalized species name the meaning is essentially arbitrary and cannot be predicted by a B1 learner who only knows the two words.

Etymology

Rock beauty probably comes from two simple images: the fish often lives near rocks and it looks bright and pretty, so people called it a beauty. That's why the name refers to a small, colorful 'fish' found near rocky areas.