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Glite Dictionary
tongue-fish

tongue-fish

9.9
A small flat sea fish with both eyes on the left side found on sandy bottoms
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : pez lengua
  • The tongue-fish is often found on sandy ocean bottoms in shallow waters.

Examples

  • The tongue-fish is a small flatfish that blends into the sandy ocean floor, making it hard to spot.

  • Scientists collected several tongue-fish specimens during their marine survey.

  • Although the tongue-fish is not commonly eaten, it plays an important role in the ecosystem.

  • The tongue-fish is often found in shallow waters.

  • Have you ever seen a tongue-fish before?

  • During the marine expedition, researchers observed a tongue-fish resting on the seabed.

  • The unique morphology of the tongue-fish allows it to thrive in shallow coastal waters.

Synonyms

flounder
vstongue-fish
15 3.7

A small flat sea fish with both eyes on one side often eaten

is similar but has little commercial value and a tapered tail
flatfish
vstongue-fish
1 4.8

A fish with a flat body that lies on its side with both eyes on the upper side

is one specific small left-eyed species with tapered tail and little value
tonguefish
vstongue-fish
9.9

A small flat sea fish found in warm shallow waters with both eyes on the left side

is identical in meaning but written with a hyphen
lefteyed flounder
vstongue-fish
  • Specialized
9.9

A fish with both eyes on the left side of its head

is a particular small left-eyed type with a tapered tail and low value
finfish
vstongue-fish
  • Specialized
6.0

Relating to real fish with fins rather than shellfish

is a specific biological species rather than a general fisheries category

Surface Forms

tongue-fish singular
tongue-fishes plural

Morphology

tongue-fish = tongue + fish (transparent) = tongue + fish

A direct compound of 'tongue' + 'fish' describing a fish shaped like a tongue, so a learner who knows the components can infer the general sense.

Etymology

Tongue-fish comes from the English words tongue and fish because this small, flat sea fish looks like a long 'tongue'. So the name tells you it is a tongue-shaped fish that lives on the sea bottom.