hagfish

[ hag-fish ]

noun

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

1. any eellike, marine cyclostome of the order Myxiniformes, having undeveloped eyes, a barbel-rimmed, circular mouth, and horny teeth for boring into the flesh of fishes to feed on their interior parts.

hagfish

/ ˈhæɡˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any eel-like marine cyclostome vertebrate of the family Myxinidae, having a round sucking mouth and feeding on the tissues of other animals and on dead organic material Often shortened tohag

Word History and Origins

Origin of hagfish¹

First recorded in 1605–15; hag ¹ + fish

Example Sentences

The "oral cirri" suggest somewhat the barbels of the nose and mouth of a hagfish.

From Project Gutenberg

If lifted out of the water, the slimy hagfish at once slips out and swims quickly away.

From Project Gutenberg

In gill-nets in Monterey Bay great mischief is done by hagfish (Polistotrema stouti).

From Project Gutenberg

In the California hagfish, Polistotrema stouti, great numbers of these eggs have been found in the stomachs of the males.

From Project Gutenberg