Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Sciaena

noun
Sci·​ae·​na | \sīˈēnə\

Definition of Sciaena 

: the type genus of Sciaenidae comprising somewhat elongated marine fishes with a conical head, terminal or subterminal mouth, and no barbels and including numerous croakers some of which are favored as food or sport fishes — see black croaker, maigre, mulloway

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of Sciaena

1601, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Sciaena

New Latin, from Latin, a fish, from Greek skiaina, a fish, probably the maigre

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Sciaena

Statistics for Sciaena

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for Sciaena

The first known use of Sciaena was in 1601

See more words from the same year

Comments on Sciaena

What made you want to look up Sciaena? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

henchman

a trusted follower

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games