ribbonfish

noun

rib·​bon·​fish ˈri-bən-ˌfish How to pronounce ribbonfish (audio)
: any of a family (Trachipteridae) of elongate greatly compressed marine bony fishes (such as a dealfish) with a long ribbonlike dorsal fin arising from behind the head

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ribbonfish was circa 1798

Dictionary Entries Near ribbonfish

Cite this Entry

“Ribbonfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribbonfish. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

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