crow-sized

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Thân thiện

A crow-sized bird perches on a wooden fence post.

Definition

Adjective:
- Having the approximate size of a crow: Used to describe an object, animal, or entity whose physical dimensions are roughly equivalent to those of a common crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), providing a familiar point of comparison for size estimation.

Usage

The term is a compound adjective used attributively (before a noun) to give a quick, relatable sense of scale. It is most common in descriptive or scientific writing, such as in ornithology, wildlife guides, or general description.
It helps visualize size by comparing an unfamiliar subject to a commonly known bird.

Examples

Attributive use:
- We spotted a crow-sized bird of prey perched on the fence. (This indicates the bird of prey was roughly the same physical dimensions as a crow.)
- The fossil suggests it was a crow-sized dinosaur. (This gives a quick mental image of the dinosaur's approximate size.)
- A crow-sized drone hovered silently above the field.

Advanced Usage

Comparative Description: The term is part of a pattern using "" to create immediate, understandable comparisons (e.g., , , ).
- The newly discovered species is crow-sized, unlike its smaller sparrow-like relatives.

Variants and Related Words

[Noun]-sized: A productive compound pattern where any known noun can be combined with "-sized" to form an adjective indicating approximate similarity in dimensions (e.g., , , ).

Synonyms

Notes

Specificity: While "crow-sized" is a useful approximation, actual crow species vary in size. The term generally refers to the common American Crow or similar species, with a body length of about 40-50 cm (16-20 inches) and a wingspan of about 85-100 cm (33-39 inches).
Function: This compound adjective is hyphenated when used before a noun. It may sometimes be used without a hyphen when appearing after a linking verb (e.g., ), but hyphenation is generally recommended for clarity.

A crow-sized bird perches on a wooden fence post.

Adjective

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