spoonbill catfish
- noun
- /ˈspuːnˌbɪl ˈkætˌfɪʃ/
- US
:
pez gato espátula
- The long, paddle-like snout helps the spoonbill catfish sense prey in murky waters.
Examples
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The spoonbill catfish can be found in the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
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Fishermen are often excited to catch a spoonbill catfish because of its unusual appearance.
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The spoonbill catfish is known for its unique shape.
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Many anglers seek the spoonbill catfish for sport.
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Fishermen are often excited to catch a spoonbill catfish because of its unusual appearance.
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The spoonbill catfish can be found in the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
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The long, paddle-like snout helps the spoonbill catfish sense prey in murky waters.
Synonyms
A large freshwater catfish with a flat head and a lower jaw that sticks out
A large catfish with a wide flat head and a lower jaw that sticks out
A large river fish with a flat head and a long pointed nose found in central United States
A large catfish with a flat head and a jaw that sticks out found in central United States rivers
A group of North American freshwater catfish with broad flat heads
A group of freshwater catfish with flat heads from North America
Surface Forms
Morphology
spoonbill + catfish
The compound names a catfish with a spoon-shaped bill or snout, so its meaning is directly built from 'spoonbill' (spoon-shaped bill) + 'catfish' (a type of fish). Even if 'spoonbill' as a lexical item is rare, the modifier+noun composition is transparent and a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer it denotes a catfish with a flattened, spoon-like snout.
Etymology
Spoonbill catfish gets its name from the fish's flat, long, spoon-shaped 'bill' or 'snout' that looks like a spoon and helps it find food in muddy water. That's why the name describes the fish's unusual head.
