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Glite Dictionary
scorpaenid fish

scorpaenid fish

9.9
A sea fish that lives on the sea bottom in warm water and has spines that can sting
  • noun
  • /ˈskɔrpeɪnɪd fɪʃ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pez escorpenido
  • Some species of scorpaenid fish are known for their venomous spines.

Examples

  • The diver spotted a scorpaenid fish camouflaged on the coral reef.

  • Many scorpaenid fishes inhabit coral reefs.

  • Researchers collected data on the habitat preferences of various scorpaenid fish.

  • The scorpaenid fish is known for its venomous spines.

  • Some species of scorpaenid fish are known for their venomous spines.

  • The diver spotted a scorpaenid fish camouflaged on the coral reef.

  • Researchers collected data on the habitat preferences of various scorpaenid fish.

Synonyms

scorpaenid
vsscorpaenid fish
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea fish that lives on the bottom, often in warm waters, and has venomous spines

is the phrase adding fish to make the name explicitly refer to a fish

Surface Forms

scorpaenid fish singular
scorpaenid fishes plural

Morphology

scorpaenid + fish

The phrase is fully compositional: 'scorpaenid' names the taxonomic group (Scorpaenidae) and 'fish' is the literal animal, so the phrase simply means a fish of that family. Although 'scorpaenid' is a specialist term that many learners may not know, if a B1 learner does know both constituents the meaning is literal and non-idiomatic, making it transparent.

Etymology

Scorpaenid fish comes from the old word scorpaena, which meant 'scorpion' because these fish have sharp, venomous spines like a scorpion's sting. That's why the name refers to a group of sea fish that live on the sea floor and often hide and can sting.