characin

or char·a·cid

[ kar-uh-sin ]

noun

1. any freshwater fish of the family Characidae, of Africa and Central and South America.

characin

/ ˈkærəsɪn /

noun

1. any small carnivorous freshwater cyprinoid fish of the family Characidae, of Central and South America and Africa. They are similar to the carps but more brightly coloured

Word History and Origins

Origin of characin¹

1880–85; < New Latin Characinidae name of family, equivalent to Characin ( us ) the genus ( charac- (< Greek charak-, stem of chárax pointed stake, a sea fish) + -inus -in ¹ ) + -idae -idae

Word History and Origins

Origin of characin¹

C19: from New Latin Characinidae, from characinus, from Greek kharax a fish, probably the sea bream

Example Sentences

Fish Adjusts Its Shape to Lure Hungry Females The male of a small freshwater fish, the swordtail characin, tempts females with an ornamental lure that looks like food.

From New York Times

The way to a woman's heart is through her stomach—at least for the swordtail characin.

From Science Magazine