narrow-mouthed
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective 1. Having a narrow mouth or opening: Describes an object, container, or organism whose mouth or opening is not wide; characterized by a constricted aperture.
Examples
- The archaeologist carefully excavated the narrow-mouthed vase, designed to preserve its precious contents.
- Many species of narrow-mouthed frogs are adapted to eat small insects like ants and termites.
- For this experiment, you will need a narrow-mouthed flask to control the release of gas.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in technical, scientific, or descriptive contexts, such as in biology (to describe animal anatomy), chemistry (to describe lab equipment), and archaeology/art (to describe vessels).
- It can be used metaphorically to describe something that is restrictive or limited in its capacity to accept input, though this is less common.
- The committee was criticized for its narrow-mouthed approach to public feedback.
Variants and Related Words
- Narrow-mouth (noun, often used attributively): Can function as a compound noun, e.g., "a narrow-mouth jar" or "the narrow-mouth of the bottle."
- Wide-mouthed (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning having a wide mouth or opening.
Synonyms
- Small-mouthed
- Constricted
- Tapered (when describing a shape that narrows to an opening)
Antonyms
- Wide-mouthed
- Broad-mouthed
- Flared
Related Phrases
- Narrow-necked: Similar in meaning but specifically refers to the neck of a vessel (e.g., a bottle) rather than its mouth, though they are often used interchangeably for containers.
- Narrow aperture: A more general technical term for a small opening.
Adjective
- having a narrow mouth