morsa (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Morsa is a feminine noun.

Phonetic Transcription

/mɔɾ.sa/

Translation Options into English

• Walrus
• Clamp (in a different context)

Meaning and Usage

In Spanish, morsa primarily refers to the marine mammal known as the walrus, characterized by its large size, tusks, and whiskers. The term is generally used in natural sciences and casual conversations when discussing marine life. Its frequency of use can vary depending on context, but it is more prevalent in written contexts, such as scientific texts and documentaries, than in everyday speech.

Example Sentences

1. La morsa es un animal que vive en aguas frías del Ártico.

2. The walrus is an animal that lives in the cold waters of the Arctic.

3. En el zoológico, vi una morsa nadando con sus crías.

4. At the zoo, I saw a walrus swimming with its calves.

5. La morsa tiene colmillos que pueden crecer varios pies de largo.

6. The walrus has tusks that can grow several feet long.

Idiomatic Expressions

While morsa is not frequently used in idiomatic expressions, there are a few phrases in Spanish that might incorporate the word or relate to its characteristics in a metaphorical sense.

Example Sentences with Idiomatic Expressions

1. ¡No te duermas en los laureles, como una morsa!

2. Don't rest on your laurels like a walrus!

3. Ese trabajo no puede ser capturado con la rapidez de una morsa en el mar.

4. That job cannot be captured as quickly as a walrus in the sea.

5. Se quedó sumergido en el problema como una morsa en el agua.

6. He got immersed in the problem like a walrus in the water.

Etymology

The word morsa comes from the lengua franca applied during the Middle Ages, derived from the Old Norse word "morsa," which is thought to have been used to describe marine mammals particularly in Scandinavian regions. The term has been adopted into Spanish with its current meaning.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Foca (seal) - Although not the exact same animal, it refers to another marine mammal and can sometimes be used interchangeably in a broader sense of discussing marine life.

Antonyms

• Tierra (land) – While this is not a direct antonym, it contrasts the aquatic habitat of the walrus with land-based creatures.

This structured overview provides a comprehensive look at the word morsa in various contexts within the Spanish language.