remora

[ rem-er-uh ]

noun

1. any of several fishes of the family Echeneididae, having on the top of the head a sucking disk by which they can attach themselves to sharks, turtles, ships, and other moving objects.
2. Archaic. an obstacle, hindrance, or obstruction.

remora

/ ˈrɛmərə /

noun

1. any of the marine spiny-finned fishes constituting the family Echeneidae . They have a flattened elongated body and attach themselves to larger fish, rocks, etc, by a sucking disc on the top of the head

Word History and Origins

Origin of remora¹

1560–70; < Latin: literally, delay, hindrance, derivative of remorārī to linger, delay, equivalent to re- re- + morārī to delay

Word History and Origins

Origin of remora¹

C16: from Latin, from re- + mora delay; an allusion to its alleged habit of delaying ships

Example Sentences

Most rays "weren't that bothered" by the cameras Pelletier says, but three individuals breached—jumping clear of the water—potentially an attempt to dislodge the device, like an irritating remora.

From National Geographic

That’s the idea behind a new robot, inspired by remoras—fish that hitchhike onto other animals using an adhesive disk on top of their head.

From Science Magazine

He said when Depp was inebriated, he would also “insult his fans” and call them “remoras,” also known as suckerfish.

From Washington Post

She has also been developing an artificial suction disk inspired by the remora’s, which she hopes researchers like Dr. Goldbogen will eventually be able to use to better stick cameras to whales.

From New York Times

Like many large marine animals, wild whale sharks carry a horde of remoras, small fish that cling to their hosts with a specialized suction cup, wherever they go.

From Salon