dragonfish

[ drag-uhn-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) drag·on·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) drag·on·fish·es.

1. any marine fish of the family Bathydraconidae, of the Southern Ocean, having an elongated body and flattened head and being biochemically adapted to extremely low temperatures.
2. Also called seamoth. any fish of the family Pegasidae, of tropical Indo-Pacific waters, having armor of bony rings and large, horizontal, fanlike pectoral fins.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dragonfish¹

First recorded in 1685–95; dragon + fish

Example Sentences

In its larval stage, the female black dragonfish has eyestalks that can reach half its body length and allow her to see farther in the deep.

From National Geographic

Dragonfish have “luminous barbels swinging from their chins”; a Pacific sleeper shark possesses “a body as brindled as old granite.”

From Scientific American

Another popular spot, Chan, which introduced many Seattleites to those orange, sticky Korean fried chicken wings before that got trendy, has moved out of its stuffy, subterranean hideaway in Pike Place and into the old home of Dragonfish Asian Cafe in the Paramount Hotel.

From Seattle Times

For patrons who miss Dragonfish Asian Café in downtown Seattle, the owners have a second act in Mountlake Terrace with Baguus Little Asia, where familiar fusion dishes including the Dragonfish noodle and the shrimp dish have reappeared on this menu.

From Seattle Times

Dragonfish Asian Cafe: It seems like everyone who’s lived in Seattle for a certain length of time has likely ended up at downtown’s Dragonfish.

From Seattle Times