[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/dorsal/)

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# dorsal

adjective (dorsal) — science

«dorsal» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (science) Dorsal means on or to do with the back of an animal or the upper side of something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/#m1)
2. The dorsal fin is the fin on the back of a fish, shark, dolphin or whale. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on fish and sea animals, the dorsal fin helps them balance and steer. In stories and films, a dorsal fin above the water is the classic sign of a shark (though dolphins have them too). In medicine and body science, «dorsal» means back-side; the opposite is «ventral» (belly side).

### Examples

- The shark's dorsal fin cut through the water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/#x1)
- Dolphins have a curved dorsal fin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/#x2)
- Label the dorsal fin on your fish diagram. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/#x3)
- The dorsal side of a frog is green and spotty. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/#x4)
- Some whales have a tiny dorsal fin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/#x5)
- The dorsal fin stops the fish from rolling over. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/#x6)

### Note

Science word, mostly in «dorsal fin». Opposite: ventral (the belly side). Trap: not every fin above the water is a shark — dolphins have dorsal fins too.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «dorsal» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsal/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«dorsal» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/dorsal.html) on Mova free.