duckbill

/'dʌkbil/
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duckbill

The duckbill platypus swims in a clear river.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A small aquatic monotreme mammal: A semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal native to eastern Australia and Tasmania, characterized by a broad, flat, duck-like bill, a beaver-like tail, and webbed feet. It is the sole living representative of the family Ornithorhynchidae.
    • A type of primitive fish: A freshwater fish (Polyodon spathula) found in the Mississippi River basin, notable for its long, paddle-shaped snout.

  2. Adjective:

    • Having a beak resembling that of a duck: Describing something, typically an animal like a dinosaur, that possesses a broad, flat bill similar to that of a duck.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (Mammal):

    • The duckbill, or platypus, is one of the few venomous mammals.
    • We were lucky to spot a duckbill swimming in the creek.

  • Noun (Fish):

    • The paddlefish, also called a duckbill, uses its long snout to detect plankton.
    • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the duckbill in its native river habitat.

  • Adjective:

    • The duckbill dinosaur is formally known as a hadrosaur.
    • The fossil clearly shows the duckbill skull shape.
Advanced Usage
  • In paleontology: The term "duckbill" is commonly used informally to refer to hadrosaurid dinosaurs, a group known for their distinctive broad, flattened snouts.
    • The museum's new exhibit features a complete skeleton of a duckbill dinosaur.
Variants and Related Words
  • Duck-billed (Adjective): This hyphenated form is often used as an adjective.
    • The duck-billed platypus is a unique creature.
  • Platypus (Noun): The more common name for the monotreme .
  • Paddlefish (Noun): The more common name for the fish .
  • Hadrosaur (Noun): The formal scientific name for the so-called "duckbill" dinosaurs.
Synonyms
  • For the mammal: Platypus, .
  • For the fish: Paddlefish, spoonbill catfish.
  • For the adjective: Duck-billed, platypus-like (context-dependent).
Related Phrases and Compounds
  • Duckbill platypus: A common compound name for the monotreme.
    • The duckbill platypus lays eggs instead of giving live birth.
  • Duckbill dinosaur: A common descriptive phrase for hadrosaurs.
    • Children are often fascinated by duckbill dinosaurs.
duckbill

The duckbill platypus swims in a clear river.

Adjective
  1. having a beak resembling that of a duck
    • a duck-billed dinosaur
Noun
  1. small densely furred aquatic monotreme of Australia and Tasmania having a broad bill and tail and webbed feet; only species in the family Ornithorhynchidae
  2. primitive fish of the Mississippi valley having a long paddle-shaped snout

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