snipefish

[ snahyp-fish ]

noun

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

1. any of several fishes of the family Macrorhamphosidae, of tropical and temperate seas, having a long, tubular snout and a compressed body.

snipefish

/ ˈsnaɪpˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any teleost fish of the family Macrorhamphosidae, of tropical and temperate seas, having a deep body, long snout, and a single long dorsal fin: order Solenichthyes (sea horses, etc) Also calledbellows fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of snipefish¹

First recorded in 1660–70; snipe + fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of snipefish¹

C17: so called because of the resemblance between its snout and a snipe's bill

Example Sentences

Although it begins with an account of Beebe's sensational discovery that there are snipefish on both the east and west coasts of the U. S.�a discovery whose exact scientific importance escapes the lay reader�it quickly gives way to discussions of Mr. Beebe's first deep-sea fishing, a comparison of the flight of pelicans and cormorants, a spirited defense of vultures and well-chosen excerpts from the works of other naturalists.

From Time Magazine Archive