duck-billed platypus
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Definition
- Noun:
- A small, aquatic, egg-laying mammal: The duck-billed platypus is a unique, semi-aquatic mammal native to eastern Australia and Tasmania. It is known for its distinctive broad, flat bill resembling a duck's, a beaver-like tail, and webbed feet. It is one of the few extant monotremes, or egg-laying mammals.
Usage
- The word "duck-billed platypus" is used as a singular, countable noun. It is the common name for the species .
- It is typically used in scientific, zoological, and general descriptive contexts to refer to this specific animal.
Examples
- Noun:
- The duck-billed platypus is an iconic Australian animal.
- We were lucky to see a duck-billed platypus swimming in the creek.
- The duck-billed platypus uses electroreception in its bill to locate prey.
Advanced Usage
- "Platypus": Often used as a shortened, more common form of "duck-billed platypus."
- The platypus is a monotreme.
- In taxonomic or formal contexts, the full binomial name is used.
Variants and Related Words
- Platypus (n): The common short form for "duck-billed platypus."
- Ornithorhynchus anatinus (n): The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
- Monotreme (n): The order of egg-laying mammals that includes the platypus and echidnas.
Synonyms
- Platypus: The most direct and commonly used synonym.
- Watermole (archaic/regional): An older or less common name.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using "duck-billed platypus." It is primarily a technical/descriptive term.
Noun
- small densely furred aquatic monotreme of Australia and Tasmania having a broad bill and tail and webbed feet; only species in the family Ornithorhynchidae