mojarra

[ moh-hahr-uh ]

noun

1. any of several chiefly tropical, silvery fishes of the family Gerridae, having a protrusible mouth and grooves at the bases of the dorsal and anal fins into which the fins can be folded.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mojarra¹

< Spanish: literally, point of a lance < Arabic muḥarrab pointed, sharp, past participle of ḥarrab to sharpen

Example Sentences

A woman selling pozole and fried mojarra outside a storefront offering Zumba classes reported that a street lamp had gone out nearby, and she was worried about safety.

From New York Times

Tilapia, mojarra, carp and little silvery charales were buried in pits with lime to combat the potent stench of rotting fish.

From Seattle Times

The second was the mojarra, a whole tilapia, which arrived nicely scored and fried but was overcooked, and had a moldy aroma and flavor that rendered it inedible.

From New York Times