ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ridley

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɹɪdɫi// ri·d·ley

n. a type of small sea turtle that lives in warm oceans. There are two main kinds: the Kemp's ridley and the olive ridley.

n. refers to either of two species of small sea turtles within the genus Lepidochelys. Typically used as a common name for the Kemp's ridley or the olive ridley.


SIMPLE

The olive ridley is the most common sea turtle in the world.

CONTEXTUAL

Conservationists worked through the night to protect the ridley nesting site from local predators.

COMPLEX

The Kemp's ridley remains the most endangered species of sea turtle, with its primary nesting grounds restricted to a single stretch of beach in Mexico.

Origin

Place names in England, Old English hrēad (“reeds”) or rydde (“cleared land”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Thus, equivalent to reed or rid + -ley (“lea”).

Usage

Often used as part of a compound noun (e.g., 'olive ridley' or 'Kemp's ridley').

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