Eared

Eared is an English adjective describing something that has ears or ear-like projections. In general use, it refers to objects or beings that possess visible ears or features that resemble ears.

In zoology, the term is often encountered in the phrase eared seals, which refers to the family Otariidae, including sea lions and fur seals. Eared seals have external ear flaps, distinguishing them from true seals, which lack external ears. The label highlights a physical trait rather than a taxonomic grouping on its own, and it is commonly used in field guides and descriptive accounts.

In botany, eared describes certain leaves or parts of a plant that have ear-shaped lobes at their base. This form of ornamentation is sometimes called auriculate in botanical terminology. Leaves described as eared may have small, rounded projections at the base that resemble ears, contributing to the identification and description of a species.

Etymology-wise, eared derives from the noun ear, with the -ed suffix forming an adjective. In scientific writing, terminology such as auriculate or ear-shaped is often used as a more precise alternative to indicate ear-like structures, while eared remains a common, less formal descriptor in descriptive passages.

Overall, eared functions as a descriptive term across disciplines to denote the presence of ears or ear-like structures, with particular prominence in zoological and botanical contexts where morphology is a key characteristic.