Word: Hatchling
Definition: A "hatchling" is a noun that refers to a very young animal that has just come out of an egg. This term is often used for baby birds, but it can also apply to other creatures that hatch from eggs, like reptiles.
Usage Instructions: You can use "hatchling" to talk about young animals that are newly born from eggs. It is commonly used in contexts related to nature, wildlife, and biology.
Example Sentences: 1. The mother bird carefully fed her hatchlings until they were strong enough to fly. 2. The turtle hatchlings made their way to the ocean after emerging from their eggs on the beach.
Advanced Usage: In a more advanced context, "hatchling" can be used metaphorically to describe anything that is newly developed or in its early stages, such as a project or idea. For example: - "The startup company was still a hatchling, but it showed great promise for future growth."
Word Variants: - Hatch: (verb) To come out of an egg. - Hatching: (noun/verb) The process of emerging from an egg.
Different Meaning: While "hatchling" specifically refers to newly hatched animals, the root word "hatch" can also refer to the act of creating something new or the opening of an egg or a door.
Synonyms: - Baby bird - Neonate (a more general term for a newborn animal) - Chick (specifically for young birds, especially chickens)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "hatchling," but you might hear phrases like "hatching a plan," which means to develop or think of a new idea or strategy.