sand launce
- noun
- UK
:
lance de arena
- At low tide, you can sometimes spot a sand launce quickly burrowing into the sand.
Examples
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Thousands of sand launces gathered in the shallow waters near the shore.
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Seabirds often feed on sand launce during their migration.
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The sand launce is known for its slender shape.
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Many sand launces can be found along the coast.
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You can often see a sand launce darting through the sand as it searches for food.
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During the summer, schools of sand launce can be observed swimming close to the beach.
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The sand launce, with its slender body, blends in well with the sandy environment.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A very small silver fish like an eel that buries itself in sand near the shore
1
6.1
A small thin fish that looks like an eel and buries itself in sand near the shore
A small silvery fish that swims in schools and burrows into sand
A small fish that lives in sandy areas and burrows into the sand
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun–noun compound is fully compositional: 'sand' modifies 'launce' to indicate a launce associated with sand (a small fish that lives in or burrows into sandy beaches). Given the supplied definitions, a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the meaning, since this follows a common and cross-linguistically transparent compound pattern.
Etymology
Sand launce may get its name from the fish's shape and home. Its long, thin body is like a tiny spear, so launce comes from the word 'lance' meaning a spear, and because it burrows into sand, people called it a 'sand launce'.