chimaera

[ ki-meer-uh, kahy- ]

noun

1. any fish of the family Chimaeridae, the male of which has a spiny clasping organ over the mouth.
2. any similar fish of the group Holocephali, which includes this family.
3. chimera.

chimaera

/ kaɪˈmɪərə; kɪ- /

noun

1. any tapering smooth-skinned cartilaginous deep-sea fish of the subclass Holocephali (or Bradyodonti ), esp any of the genus Chimaera. They have a skull in which the upper jaw is fused to the cranium See also rabbitfish
2. Greek myth a variant spelling of chimera

Word History and Origins

Origin of chimaera¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; chimera

Example Sentences

“Chimaeras are also rather ancient relatives – the grandmas and grandpas – of fish and I thought the name was well suited.”

From BBC

Powerful Voices Executive Director Charhys “Chimaera” Bailey said Activistas often go on after Girlvolution to share their research in workshops in schools and at other youth organizations, and sometimes help develop curricula around their topics.

From Seattle Times

Hesiod in the eighth or ninth century tells about the Chimaera, and Anteia’s love and the sad end of Bellerophon are in the Iliad.

From Literature

Known as the Flames of Chimaera, they have burned for millenniums.

From New York Times

Vicious and bloodthirsty, the Chimaera is extremely dangerous.

From Literature