mountain devil
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A desert lizard that feeds on ants: A type of reptile, specifically a thorny devil (Moloch horridus), native to arid regions of Australia.
- An erect bushy shrub of eastern Australia: A plant (Lambertia formosa) known for its terminal clusters of red, nectar-rich flowers.
Usage Examples
Noun (Animal):
- The mountain devil is well-camouflaged in its desert habitat.
- We were lucky to spot a mountain devil, a lizard that eats thousands of ants each day.
Noun (Plant):
- The mountain devil is flowering, attracting many honeyeater birds.
- This garden features native species like the mountain devil shrub.
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in Australian English and often requires context to clarify whether the speaker is referring to the animal or the plant.
- In scientific or botanical contexts, the Latin names ( for the lizard, for the plant) are used to avoid ambiguity.
Variants and Related Words
- Thorny devil: A more common name for the lizard.
- Honey flower: An alternative common name for the shrub, referring to its nectar.
Synonyms
- For the lizard: Thorny devil, Moloch.
- For the plant: Honey flower, Lambertia.
Related Phrases
- As prickly as a mountain devil: An informal simile describing something or someone as very spiky or difficult to handle. (This phrase typically references the lizard's thorny appearance).
- After his haircut, his head felt as prickly as a mountain devil.
Noun
- desert lizard that feeds on ants
- erect bushy shrub of eastern Australia having terminal clusters of red flowers yielding much nectar