ENGLISH
REFERENCE

antennae

n. plural-only
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ænˈtɛni// UK //æntˈɛniː// an·ten·nae

n. the long, thin parts on the heads of insects that they use to feel or smell things. It can also refer to the metal rods on a house or car that receive radio or TV signals.

n. the plural form of 'antenna'. Refers to the paired sensory appendages on the heads of arthropods or, in a technical sense, the metallic conductors used for sending or receiving electromagnetic waves.


SIMPLE

The butterfly moved its antennae to sense the air.

CONTEXTUAL

Biologists observed the beetle using its antennae to navigate the dark forest floor and locate food sources.

COMPLEX

While the biological antennae of insects are sophisticated chemical sensors, the metallic antennae atop the building were designed specifically to capture high-frequency satellite transmissions for the local network.

Synonyms
Usage

The plural of 'antenna'. In biological contexts, 'antennae' is the standard plural; in electronics and radio contexts, 'antennas' is often preferred.

Pitfall

The insect has two antennaesThe insect has two antennaeAntennae is already the plural form of the Latin-derived antenna; adding an 's' is a common error.

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