filefish

[ fahyl-fish ]

noun

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

1. any of several flattened marine fishes of the family Monacanthidae, having an elongated head with a small mouth and small, spiny scales.
2. a triggerfish.

filefish

/ ˈfaɪlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any tropical triggerfish, such as Alutera scripta , having a narrow compressed body and a very long dorsal spine

Word History and Origins

Origin of filefish¹

First recorded in 1765–75; file ² + fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of filefish¹

C18: referring to its file-like scales