Antennariidae

plural noun

An·​ten·​na·​ri·​i·​dae
anˌtenəˈrīəˌdē
: a family of fishes (order Pediculati) that have an elongated somewhat compressed body, a short head deeper than broad, a large nearly vertical mouth with protrusible premaxillaries, rather large pectoral fins with elongated carpal bones forming a wrist, a first dorsal fin consisting of separate spines of which the first is usually elongated and provided with a membranous flap that projects forward over the mouth and functions as a bait, that scramble about among seaweeds, and that include the frogfishes and sargassum fishes compare angler

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Antennarius, type genus (from Medieval Latin antenna + Latin -arius -ary) + -idae; from the antennary process on the head

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Cite this Entry

“Antennariidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Antennariidae. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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