tuna
UK: ˈtjuːnə | US: ˈtuːnə
n. a large marine fish of the mackerel family, widely used as food
n. the flesh of this fish, often canned or served fresh
The word "tuna" entered English in the late 19th century from Spanish "atún," which itself derived from Arabic "tūn" (تُون), likely borrowed from Latin "thunnus" (from Greek "thýnnos"). The Spanish form "atún" was shortened to "tuna" in English, dropping the initial "a-" due to phonetic simplification. The morpheme "tun" preserves the core idea of the fish, while the final "-a" acts as a nominal ending without independent meaning.
Grilled tuna is a popular dish in Mediterranean cuisine.
She ordered a tuna salad sandwich for lunch.
The fishermen caught several large tuna off the coast.
Canned tuna is a convenient source of protein.
Sustainable fishing practices help protect tuna populations.