thin-shelled mussel
- noun
- /θɪnʃɛld ˈmʌsəl/
- Specialized
:
músculo de cáscara delgada
- The thin-shelled mussel is particularly vulnerable to predators due to its fragile shell.
Examples
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Unlike its thick-shelled relatives, the thin-shelled mussel can be easily crushed.
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The thin-shelled mussel is found in shallow waters.
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Researchers collected several thin-shelled mussels from the estuary for examination.
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Many thin-shelled mussels inhabit the coastal areas.
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The thin-shelled mussel is endangered due to habitat loss and pollution in coastal waters.
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In the tide pools, we found a thin-shelled mussel clinging to a rock, struggling to stay closed.
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During the study, the scientists noted that the thin-shelled mussel is more susceptible to environmental changes than its thicker-shelled counterparts.
Synonyms
A thin-shelled freshwater mussel that lives in rivers and lakes
Surface Forms
Morphology
thin-shelled + mussel
The phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'thin-shelled' means 'having thin shells' and 'mussel' is a bivalve, so the combined meaning ('a mussel with thin, fragile shells') is directly derivable. This follows common cross-linguistic patterns (adjective describing a noun) and a B1 learner who knows 'thin' and 'mussel' and can interpret '-shelled' will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Thin-shelled mussel comes from a simple picture: a mussel with a very thin, easily broken shell. So the words thin and shelled show the animal is 'fragile' and more 'vulnerable' than other mussels.
