Is a mermaid's purse alive?

No, the cases found on beaches are usually empty and dead. The live embryo develops inside before hatching and leaving the case.

Can you tell what animal it came from?

Yes, experts can often identify the species of shark, skate, or ray by the size, shape, and tendrils of the egg case.

No, it has no monetary value but is of interest to scientists, educators, and beachcombers.

Where is the best place to find them?

On sandy beaches after high tides or storms, often tangled in the wrack line (strandline) of seaweed and debris.

Is “mermaid's purse” formal?

Mermaid's purse is usually specialist / poetic in register.

How do you pronounce “mermaid's purse”?

Mermaid's purse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɜː.meɪdz pɜːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɝː.meɪdz pɝːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

mermaid's purse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low

UK/ˈmɜː.meɪdz pɜːs/US/ˈmɝː.meɪdz pɝːs/

Specialist / Poetic

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “mermaid's purse” mean?

The tough, protective egg case of certain cartilaginous fish, such as sharks, skates, and rays.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The tough, protective egg case of certain cartilaginous fish, such as sharks, skates, and rays.

A term used in marine biology and by beachcombers; can poetically refer to something of little value or a curious, empty container found by the sea.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally used in both marine biological and general coastal contexts.

Connotations

In both varieties, it carries a whimsical, folkloric connotation, contrasting with the more scientific term 'egg case'.

Frequency

Slightly more common in UK coastal regions due to longer tradition of beachcombing terminology, but the difference is minimal.

Grammar

How to Use “mermaid's purse” in a Sentence

find + [mermaid's purse] + on the beach[mermaid's purse] + wash up + on the shoreidentify + [mermaid's purse]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

empty mermaid's pursewashed-up mermaid's purseleathery mermaid's purseshark's mermaid's purse

medium

find a mermaid's pursea dried mermaid's pursethe corner of a mermaid's purse

weak

black mermaid's pursesmall mermaid's pursestrange mermaid's purse

Examples

Examples of “mermaid's purse” in a Sentence

verb

British English

American English

adverb

British English

American English

adjective

British English

American English

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in marine biology and zoology texts to describe chondrichthyan reproduction.

Everyday

Used by beachcombers, naturalists, and in coastal education.

Technical

Specific term in ichthyology and fisheries science.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “mermaid's purse”

Strong

Neutral

egg caseegg capsule

Weak

sea purse (rare)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “mermaid's purse”

live pupfree-swimming juvenile

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “mermaid's purse”

Using it for seashells or other beach debris. Confusing it with a 'sea purse' (which can refer to a type of seaweed). Spelling as 'mermaids purse' without the apostrophe.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, the cases found on beaches are usually empty and dead. The live embryo develops inside before hatching and leaving the case.
: Yes, experts can often identify the species of shark, skate, or ray by the size, shape, and tendrils of the egg case.
: No, it has no monetary value but is of interest to scientists, educators, and beachcombers.
: On sandy beaches after high tides or storms, often tangled in the wrack line (strandline) of seaweed and debris.
: The tough, protective egg case of certain cartilaginous fish, such as sharks, skates, and rays.
: Mermaid's purse is usually specialist / poetic in register.
: Mermaid's purse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɜː.meɪdz pɜːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɝː.meɪdz pɝːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“-”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a mermaid keeping her tiny shark eggs safe in a little leathery purse.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE SEA IS A PERSON (who carries possessions); AN EGG CASE IS A CONTAINER.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the storm, the beach was littered with seaweed, driftwood, and the occasional leathery .

Multiple Choice

What is a 'mermaid's purse' primarily?