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boxfish

 - 5 dictionary results

box⋅fish

[boks-fish]
–noun, plural -fish⋅es, (especially collectively) -fish.
trunkfish.

Origin:
1830–40; box 1 + fish

trunk⋅fish

[truhngk-fish]
–noun, plural (especially collectively) -fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) -fish⋅es.
any plectognath fish of the family Ostraciontidae, of warm seas, having a boxlike body encased in bony, polygonal plates.
Also called boxfish.


Origin:
1795–1805; trunk + fish
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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box·fish   (bŏks'fĭsh')   
n.   pl. boxfish or box·fish·es
See trunkfish.
trunk·fish   (trŭngk'fĭsh')   
n.   pl. trunkfish or trunk·fish·es
Any of various colorful tropical marine fishes of the family Ostraciidae, having a body enclosed in bony armorlike plates with only the mouth, eyes, fins, and vent exposed. Also called boxfish.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

boxfish

any of a small group of shallow-water marine fishes of the family Ostraciontidae (or Ostraciidae), distinguished by a hard, boxlike, protective carapace covering most of the body. The alternative name cowfish refers to the hornlike projections on the heads of some species. The members of the family, found along the bottom in warm and tropical seas throughout the world, are considered good to eat and are often dried as curios.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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