smallmouth
UK: ˈsmɔːlmaʊθ | US: ˈsmɔːlmaʊθ
n. 1. A type of North American freshwater bass (Micropterus dolomieu), characterized by a relatively small mouth compared to other bass species.
The word "smallmouth" is a compound noun formed by combining "small" (Old English smæl, meaning "little in size") and "mouth" (Old English mūþ, meaning "oral opening"). It originated in the 19th century as a colloquial term for the fish species due to its distinctively smaller mouth compared to its relative, the largemouth bass. The compound structure reflects a straightforward descriptive naming convention in English, where physical traits are combined to create specific terms.
The smallmouth bass is a popular game fish among anglers.
We caught several smallmouth in the clear river waters.
Unlike largemouth bass, smallmouth prefer cooler, faster-moving streams.
His trophy smallmouth weighed nearly five pounds.
Smallmouth are known for their aggressive strikes and strong fights.