dipnoan
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: //dɪpˈnoʊən//
KK: /dɪpˈnoʊən/
adjective
Definition
Relating to a group of fish known as Dipnoi, which are characterized by their ability to breathe air and have both gills and lungs.
Example
The dipnoan species are fascinating because they can survive in both water and on land.
Conversation
Did you know that some fish are classified as dipnoan?
Really? What makes them different from regular fish?
They have both lungs and gills, which is pretty fascinating!
That is cool! I never thought about how diverse fish can be.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
lungfish
Antonyms
noun
Definition
A type of fish that belongs to the group Dipnoi, known as lungfishes, which have special lungs that allow them to breathe air from the atmosphere.
Example
The dipnoan is unique because it can survive in both water and on land by breathing air.
Conversation
Did you know that a dipnoan can breathe air like us?
Really? That sounds fascinating!
Yeah, they have modified lungs for that.
Root Explanation
Dipnoan is derived from the Greek roots "dipsa" (meaning thirst) and "noos" (meaning mind or spirit). The term refers to a group of fish that possess both gills and lungs, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen environments, metaphorically linking to the idea of 'thirst' for air or water.
Memory Tip
Think of 'thirst' ('dipsa') and 'mind' ('noos') to remember that dipnoans are fish that have a unique ability to breathe both in water and air, as if they are 'thirsty' for both.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.