sharptail mola: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very Low (C1/C2+)Technical (Ichthyology, Marine Biology)
Quick answer
What does “sharptail mola” mean?
A species of large, unusual ocean sunfish, Mola lanceolata, characterized by two elongated lobes on the tail fin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A species of large, unusual ocean sunfish, Mola lanceolata, characterized by two elongated lobes on the tail fin.
A relatively rare pelagic fish often found in open ocean waters, noted for its distinct body shape with a truncated rear end that terminates in pointed tail projections. It is one of several species within the genus Mola.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant national difference in usage; term is identical in both varieties and belongs to the international scientific lexicon.
Connotations
Exclusively denotes the specific fish species. No cultural or slang connotations exist.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language. Frequency is identical in both UK and US English, confined to specialist texts, documentaries, or advanced nature discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “sharptail mola” in a Sentence
The <sharptail mola> [verb: was seen, was identified, feeds, grows].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in marine biology research papers, species classifications, and ecological studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in high-level nature documentaries or articles.
Technical
The primary register. Used in ichthyology, fisheries science, and marine conservation contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sharptail mola”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sharptail mola”
- Misspelling as 'sharp-tail mola' (though hyphenated form is sometimes seen), confusing it with the more common 'ocean sunfish' (Mola mola).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are different species within the same genus (Mola). The sharptail mola (Mola lanceolata) is rarer and distinguished by its pointed tail projections.
They are pelagic fish found in temperate and tropical open oceans worldwide, often in deep offshore waters.
No. It is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively by scientists, marine experts, and in technical literature or documentaries.
Like other mola species, they can grow very large, exceeding 3 metres (10 feet) in length and weighing over a tonne.
A species of large, unusual ocean sunfish, Mola lanceolata, characterized by two elongated lobes on the tail fin.
Sharptail mola is usually technical (ichthyology, marine biology) in register.
Sharptail mola: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɑːp.teɪl ˈməʊ.lə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɑːrp.teɪl ˈmoʊ.lə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sunfish (mola) with a tail shaped like a sharp arrowhead ('sharp tail').
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Technical biological term)
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of the sharptail mola?