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Glite Dictionary
sea raven

sea raven

9.9
A large western Atlantic fish that puffs up when threatened
  • noun
  • /siː ˈreɪvən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : raven del mar
  • When threatened, the sea raven inflates its body to appear larger to predators.

Examples

  • The fisherman proudly displayed the sea raven he caught off the coast of Maine.

  • Divers often spot the distinctive sea raven resting on rocky ocean floors.

  • The sea raven is a fascinating fish.

  • Many fishermen have caught a sea raven this season.

  • The fisherman proudly displayed the sea raven he caught off the coast of Maine.

  • When caught, the sea raven can inflate its body to deter potential predators.

  • Divers often spot the distinctive sea raven resting on rocky ocean floors.

Synonyms

Hemitripterus americanus
vssea raven
  • Specialized
9.9

Large sea fish that puffs up when caught in the western Atlantic

is the common name used instead of the formal scientific name
Hemitripterus
vssea raven
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea fish that lives in cold northern oceans with spiny fins and rough skin

is a single western Atlantic species within that genus known for inflating when caught

Surface Forms

sea raven singular
sea ravens plural

Morphology

sea + raven

A B1 learner who knows 'sea' and 'raven' would likely infer this refers to a creature associated with the sea (so there is some compositional cue). However, the specific identification as a sculpin fish and the behavioral/detail of inflating are metaphorical and lexicalized from 'raven' and cannot be fully derived from the constituents, making the meaning partially but not fully predictable.

Etymology

Sea raven may come from fishermen who thought this dark, big-headed fish looked like a raven of the sea. When it is caught the fish often puffs up to 'look bigger', so that bird-like picture helps explain why the name is used for a large fish that inflates when threatened.