short-eared
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: * Having ears that are short in length or small in size. This term is most commonly used in the common names of certain animal species, particularly owls, to describe a physical characteristic.
Usage
The adjective "short-eared" is almost exclusively used attributively (before a noun) to form the common name of a species. It is a descriptive term in zoology and birdwatching.
Examples
- The short-eared owl is a bird of open country, often seen hunting during the day.
- We went to the marsh hoping to spot a short-eared owl.
- Some rabbit breeds, like the Britannia Petite, are short-eared.
Advanced Usage
- While "short-eared" is a fixed term in species names, the descriptive concept can be applied more generally in creative or technical writing.
- The illustrator gave the cartoon character a short-eared, rabbit-like appearance.
Variants and Related Words
- Short-eared Owl: () A medium-sized owl with small, often inconspicuous ear tufts, found in open habitats worldwide.
- Long-eared: (Adjective) Having long ears. The direct antonym, also used in species names (e.g., long-eared owl, long-eared bat).
Synonyms
- Small-eared
- (Conceptually) Brachyotic (a technical biological term meaning having short ears)
Notes on Meaning
The "ears" referred to in "short-eared owl" are not its true external ears (which are openings hidden by feathers) but the feather tufts on its head that resemble mammalian ears. For mammals like rabbits or dogs, it refers to the actual pinnae (external ears). The meaning is therefore contextual based on the species being described.
Adjective
- having short ears