swordfish
UK: ˈsɔːdfɪʃ | US: ˈsɔːrdfɪʃ
n. A large marine fish with a long, sword-like bill or snout, belonging to the family Xiphiidae.
n. (Culinary) The flesh of this fish, often used as food.
swordfish = sword<bladed weapon> + fish<aquatic vertebrate>
- sword: From Old English sweord, meaning "a bladed weapon used for cutting or thrusting."
- fish: From Old English fisc, meaning "an aquatic vertebrate with gills."
Etymology Origin:
The word swordfish is a straightforward compound of sword and fish, directly describing the fish’s most distinctive feature—its elongated, sword-like upper jaw. This naming reflects the tendency in English to create compound words that visually or functionally describe an object. The term has been in use since at least the 15th century, emphasizing the fish’s weapon-like appearance.
The swordfish leaped out of the water, its bill glinting in the sunlight.
Grilled swordfish is a popular dish in Mediterranean cuisine.
Fishermen often prize swordfish for their size and strength.
The swordfish uses its sharp bill to slash at prey.
Scientists study swordfish migration patterns to understand their behavior.