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Sunfish: meaning, definitions and examples

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sunfish

 

[ sʌnˌfɪʃ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

marine species

The sunfish, or mola, is a large species of fish known for its unique flattened body and impressive size. Sunfish are typically found in both tropical and temperate oceans and are known for their tendency to bask in the sun at the surface of the water. They are the heaviest bony fish in the world, weighing up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) or more.

Synonyms

mola, mola mola

Examples of usage

  • The sunfish swam near the surface, basking in the sunlight.
  • Scientists studied the behaviors of sunfish in their natural habitat.
  • I saw a sunfish while snorkeling in the coral reef.
  • The sunfish is often mistaken for a large piece of floating debris.

Translations

Translations of the word "sunfish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 peixe-sol

🇮🇳 सूरज मछली

🇩🇪 Sonnenfisch

🇮🇩 ikan matahari

🇺🇦 сонячна риба

🇵🇱 ryba słoneczna

🇯🇵 マンボウ

🇫🇷 poisson-lune

🇪🇸 pez luna

🇹🇷 güneş balığı

🇰🇷 해양어

🇸🇦 سمكة الشمس

🇨🇿 sluníčková ryba

🇸🇰 slnečná ryba

🇨🇳 太阳鱼

🇸🇮 sončna riba

🇮🇸 sólrót

🇰🇿 күнбалық

🇬🇪 მზეას მყოფი თევზი

🇦🇿 gün balığı

🇲🇽 pez luna

Etymology

The term 'sunfish' originated from the combination of 'sun' and 'fish', referencing the fish's behavior of basking in the sun at the water's surface. The word 'mola', used in scientific terminology, comes from the Latin word for 'millstone', which reflects the fish's flattened, circular shape. Historically, the sunfish was documented in various ancient texts and has been a subject of fascination for many cultures due to its size and unique appearance. With its broad, unorthodox body and significant weight, the sunfish has inspired both admiration and research in marine biology, contributing to its recognition as a remarkable ocean dweller.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,089, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.