Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/bɜrdz nɛst ˈfʌŋgəs/

Meaning and Usage

"Bird's nest fungus" refers to a group of fungi that resemble small bird's nests filled with eggs. The scientific name for this type of fungi is Nidularia. Bird's nest fungi typically grow on decaying wood and are known for their distinctive appearance, with the “eggs” being actually spore-filled structures. They are relatively uncommon and relatively less frequently discussed, making them more known within academic or specialized contexts rather than general oral or written speech.

Example Sentences

1. The bird's nest fungus can be found in damp woods during late spring and early summer.

2. Гнездовая плесень можно встретить во влажных лесах поздней весной и летом.

3. To the curious child, the bird's nest fungus looked like a tiny treasure hidden among the forest debris.

4. Для любопытного ребенка гнездовая плесень выглядела как крошечное сокровище, спрятанное среди лесных остатков.

5. Bird's nest fungus plays an important role in the nutrient cycling of forest ecosystems.

6. Гнездовая плесень играет важную роль в цикле питательных веществ лесных экосистем.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "bird's nest fungus" itself is not commonly featured in idiomatic expressions, it can be metaphorically related to concepts of uniqueness and rarity in nature.

1. "Nest egg"
2. It’s wise to save a little money as a nest egg for unexpected situations.

3. Это разумно - откладывать немного денег как резерв на непредвиденные ситуации.

4. "Birds of a feather flock together"

5. It’s clear that birds of a feather flock together, as their opinions often match perfectly.

6. Ясно, что единомышленники держатся вместе, ведь их мнения часто полностью совпадают.

7. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"

8. He chose to take the job offer rather than wait for a potentially better one because he believes a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
9. Он решил принять предложение о работе, а не ждать потенциально лучшего, потому что верит, что лучше иметь то, что есть.

Etymology

The term "bird's nest fungus" comes from the appearance of the fruiting bodies of the fungi. The "bird's nest" part denotes the nest-like structure that holds the "eggs", which are actually spore-carrying bodies. The term reflects both the physical form of the fungi and their role in nature as reproductive structures.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Nidularia - Bird's nest fungi (general term)

Antonyms: - There are no direct antonyms for "bird's nest fungus" since it is a specific term referring to a type of organism. However, terms that could be considered oppositional in a broad ecological context include "sporeless" (referring to fungi that do not produce spores) or "dead" (as in, not actively contributing to the ecosystem).