"Hawaii’s Endangered Happy Face Spider"

Amanda L. (United States of America)
44 words 64 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. arachnid
    an arthropod with simple eyes and four pairs of legs
    This little arachnid, found in Hawaiian rainforests, is quite small.
  2. millimeter
    a metric unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter
    It measures only 5 millimeters in length, at most!
  3. length
    the linear extent in space from one end to the other
    It measures only 5 millimeters in length, at most!
  4. unique
    radically distinctive and without equal
    The happy face spider’s name comes from the unique pattern found on its pale-colored back.
  5. pattern
    a repeated design, structure, or arrangement
    The happy face spider’s name comes from the unique pattern found on its pale-colored back.
  6. resemble
    be similar or bear a likeness to
    The marks resemble two circles that look like eyes.
  7. curved
    having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
    There is a curved shape below, similar to a smile.
  8. similar
    having the same or nearly the same characteristics
    There is a curved shape below, similar to a smile.
  9. scientist
    a person with advanced knowledge of empirical fields
    Some scientists think the spider may have developed these strange markings as a way to warn predators, such as birds.
  10. develop
    progress or evolve through a process of natural growth
    Some scientists think the spider may have developed these strange markings as a way to warn predators, such as birds.
  11. strange
    unusual or out of the ordinary
    Some scientists think the spider may have developed these strange markings as a way to warn predators, such as birds.
  12. marking
    a pattern of marks
    Some scientists think the spider may have developed these strange markings as a way to warn predators, such as birds.
  13. predator
    any animal that lives by preying on other animals
    Some scientists think the spider may have developed these strange markings as a way to warn predators, such as birds.
  14. agree
    achieve harmony of opinion, feeling, or purpose
    However, not all scientists agree on this theory.
  15. theory
    a tentative insight into the natural world
    However, not all scientists agree on this theory.
  16. feature
    a prominent attribute or aspect of something
    Some believe the features may do nothing to help the spider avoid its enemies.
  17. avoid
    stay away from
    Some believe the features may do nothing to help the spider avoid its enemies.
  18. enemy
    a personal foe
    Some believe the features may do nothing to help the spider avoid its enemies.
  19. general
    applying to all or most members of a category or group
    The happy face spider generally tries to stay out of the limelight.
  20. limelight
    a focus of public attention
    The happy face spider generally tries to stay out of the limelight.
  21. underside
    the lower side of anything
    It lives its life on the undersides of leaves, deep in the rainforest.
  22. difficult
    requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish
    This can make it difficult for scientists to locate and study.
  23. locate
    determine the place of by searching or examining
    This can make it difficult for scientists to locate and study.
  24. study
    learn about a certain subject
    This can make it difficult for scientists to locate and study.
  25. nearly
    slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
    One scientist, Dr. Geoff Oxford, has studied the happy face spider for nearly twenty years.
  26. interview
    the questioning of a person, often conducted by journalists
    In an interview in 2009, Dr. Oxford said the spider is very difficult to find because it is in danger of extinction.
  27. danger
    the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
    In an interview in 2009, Dr. Oxford said the spider is very difficult to find because it is in danger of extinction.
  28. extinction
    the state of being no longer in existence
    In an interview in 2009, Dr. Oxford said the spider is very difficult to find because it is in danger of extinction.
  29. state
    express in words
    He stated that the species was under threat from non-native animals brought to the islands.
  30. species
    taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
    He stated that the species was under threat from non-native animals brought to the islands.
  31. threat
    something that is a source of danger
    He stated that the species was under threat from non-native animals brought to the islands.
  32. native
    characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
    He stated that the species was under threat from non-native animals brought to the islands.
  33. endangered
    in imminent threat of extinction
    Because of the happy face spider’s endangered status, it has become a symbol for all of Hawaii’s threatened wildlife.
  34. status
    the condition or someone or something at a particular time
    Because of the happy face spider’s endangered status, it has become a symbol for all of Hawaii’s threatened wildlife.
  35. symbol
    something visible that represents something invisible
    Because of the happy face spider’s endangered status, it has become a symbol for all of Hawaii’s threatened wildlife.
  36. threaten
    present a danger to
    Because of the happy face spider’s endangered status, it has become a symbol for all of Hawaii’s threatened wildlife.
  37. wildlife
    all living things in an area that aren't tamed
    Because of the happy face spider’s endangered status, it has become a symbol for all of Hawaii’s threatened wildlife.
  38. conservationist
    someone who works to protect the environment
    In fact, conservationists have placed images of it on T-shirts, baseball hats, and even garbage trucks.
  39. image
    a visual representation produced on a surface
    In fact, conservationists have placed images of it on T-shirts, baseball hats, and even garbage trucks.
  40. attention
    a general interest that leads people to want to know more
    They hope to use this as a way to bring attention to the loss of various fauna throughout Hawaii.
  41. loss
    gradual decline in amount or activity
    They hope to use this as a way to bring attention to the loss of various fauna throughout Hawaii.
  42. various
    of many different kinds lacking any uniformity
    They hope to use this as a way to bring attention to the loss of various fauna throughout Hawaii.
  43. fauna
    all the animal life in a particular region or period
    They hope to use this as a way to bring attention to the loss of various fauna throughout Hawaii.
  44. throughout
    from first to last
    They hope to use this as a way to bring attention to the loss of various fauna throughout Hawaii.
Created on Fri Oct 02 11:33:45 EDT 2020 (updated Thu Oct 08 10:37:39 EDT 2020)

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