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Glite Dictionary
shovelnose catfish

shovelnose catfish

8.2
A large river fish with a flat head and a long pointed nose found in central United States
  • noun
  • /ˈʃoʊvəlˌnoʊz ˈkætˌfɪʃ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bagre con hocico en pala
  • The shovelnose catfish has a flattened head and a projecting jaw that make it easily recognizable.

Examples

  • We spotted a large shovelnose catfish swimming near the riverbank.

  • Many anglers enjoy catching the shovelnose catfish in rivers.

  • The shovelnose catfish is popular among anglers due to its distinctive appearance.

  • The biology class studied the anatomy of the shovelnose catfish in detail.

  • The shovelnose catfish is known for its unique head shape.

  • Anglers often seek out the shovelnose catfish for its size and distinctive features.

  • In the central United States, the shovelnose catfish is a common catch in local rivers.

Synonyms

goujon
vsshovelnose catfish
  • US
9.9

A large catfish with a flat head and a jaw that sticks out found in central United States rivers

is the identical fish expressed in a different name
Pylodictus olivaris
vsshovelnose catfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A large freshwater catfish with a flat head and a lower jaw that sticks out

refers to a different species under a common name rather than the scientific label
flathead catfish
vsshovelnose catfish
  • US
7.0

A large catfish with a wide flat head and a lower jaw that sticks out

is limited to central United States rather than the broader North American range
spoonbill catfish
vsshovelnose catfish
  • US
8.2

A large freshwater fish with a flat head and long spoon-shaped snout for finding food in muddy water

has a projecting lower jaw rather than a long spoon-shaped snout
shovelnose
vsshovelnose catfish
  • Specialized
9.1

A fish or ray with a wide, flat snout that digs in mud for food

names a specific large central US fish with similar head and jaw features

Surface Forms

shovelnose catfish singular
shovelnose catfishes plural

Morphology

shovelnose + catfish

The meaning 'a catfish with a broad, flat snout' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'shovelnose' (having a shovel-like flat snout) + 'catfish' (a type of fish). This adjectival modifier + noun pattern is descriptive and follows common cross-linguistic compounding rules, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the referent.

Etymology

Shovelnose catfish gets its name from its flat, wide head that looks like a shovel and from being a catfish, so the name means a 'catfish with a shovel-shaped nose'.