semiterrestrial
- adjective
- /ˌsɛmɪtəˈrɛstrɪəl/
- Specialized
- Some crabs exhibit semiterrestrial behavior, venturing onto land but returning to water frequently.
Examples
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Many amphibians are considered semiterrestrial because they split their time between water and land.
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The semiterrestrial frog can live both in water and on land.
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The semiterrestrial lifestyle of these snails allows them to exploit food sources in both habitats.
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Many semiterrestrial species adapt to both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
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Many amphibians are considered semiterrestrial because they split their time between water and land.
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Some crabs exhibit semiterrestrial behavior, venturing onto land but returning to water frequently.
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The semiterrestrial lifestyle of these snails allows them to exploit food sources in both habitats.
Synonyms
1
4.0
An animal or plant that lives on land rather than in water
Antonyms
How Terrestrial
Surface Forms
Morphology
semiterrestrial = terrestrial (transparent) = semi + terrestrial
The meaning is a direct and productive combination of 'semi-' meaning 'partly' and 'terrestrial' meaning 'land-based'.
Etymology
Semiterrestrial is made of semi- meaning 'partly' and terrestrial meaning 'land' or 'earth', the same root you see in terrain. So, semiterrestrial describes animals that live mostly on land but not only there.