claspers: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2+ (Technical, Biology)Technical/Scientific, Formal, Zoology
Quick answer
What does “claspers” mean?
Paired appendages on male sharks, rays, and certain other cartilaginous fish, used for internal fertilization during mating.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Paired appendages on male sharks, rays, and certain other cartilaginous fish, used for internal fertilization during mating.
In a broader zoological sense, any paired grasping organ used by a male animal to hold the female during copulation. In a non-technical sense, it can refer to any clasping device or mechanism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; identical in technical contexts.
Connotations
Technical/biological term only.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined to marine biology/zoology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “claspers” in a Sentence
Male [sharks] possess claspers.The [researcher] examined the [shark's] claspers.The [sperm] is transferred via the claspers.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “claspers” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb form)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb form)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- The clasper development is a key secondary sexual characteristic.
American English
- The clasper structure is highly specialized.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in marine biology, zoology, and evolutionary biology papers discussing reproduction in cartilaginous fish.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Used in ichthyology textbooks, scientific documentaries, and aquarium guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “claspers”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “claspers”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “claspers”
- Using 'claspers' to refer to generic clamps or fasteners in non-biological contexts.
- Spelling as 'clasppers'.
- Treating it as a singular noun (e.g., 'a clasper was damaged'). While technically possible, it's rare.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in marine biology and zoology.
In its primary and most precise sense, it refers specifically to the reproductive organs of cartilaginous fish. In broader zoology, it can refer to similar structures in other male animals, but this is still technical.
Because the anatomical feature exists as a pair, one on each side of the male's body.
In American English, it is pronounced /ˈklæspərz/, with a short 'a' sound as in 'cat'.
Paired appendages on male sharks, rays, and certain other cartilaginous fish, used for internal fertilization during mating.
Claspers is usually technical/scientific, formal, zoology in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a male shark trying to CLASP HER securely during mating, using his 'claspers'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPECIALISED TOOL FOR A TASK (The claspers are the shark's specialised 'tools' for reproduction).
Practice
Quiz
What are 'claspers'?