oarfish

[ awr-fish, ohr- ]

noun

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

1. any long, ribbon-shaped, silvery fish of the genus Regalecus, of deep tropical waters, having a red dorsal fin along the spine that rises to a crest, and reaching a length of 30 feet (9 meters).

oarfish

/ ˈɔːˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a very long ribbonfish, Regalecus glesne, with long slender ventral fins Also calledking of the herrings

Word History and Origins

Origin of oarfish¹

First recorded in 1855–60; oar + fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of oarfish¹

C19: referring to the flattened oarlike body

Example Sentences

The first sighting of the oarfish was an 18-footer that surprised a diver off Catalina Island.

From The Daily Beast

The oarfish is the largest living bony fish, reaching up to 35 feet in length.

From The Daily Beast

In reality, since strandings of oarfish are rare, it will be difficult—or impossible—to determine the cause.

From The Daily Beast

According to Japanese mythology, the oarfish is a messenger from the dragon god of the sea.

From The Daily Beast

Beaching of the oarfish is a very rare occurrence—the last time it happened was 2010—so two in one week is certainly an oddity.

From The Daily Beast