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cutlass fish

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cut⋅lass⋅fish

[kuht-luhs-fish]
–noun, plural (especially collectively) -fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) -fish⋅es.
any compressed, ribbonlike fish of the genus Trichiurus, having daggerlike teeth.
Also, cutlass fish.
Also called frostfish.


Origin:
1880–85; cutlass + fish
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cutlass fish  
n.  Any of several marine fishes of the genus Trichiurus, having a long, ribbonlike body and a pointed tail.
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

cutlass fish

any of several species of fishes in the family Trichiuridae (order Perciformes). All species are marine; representatives occur in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Cutlass fishes have a distinctive appearance with a long, eellike body and a short dorsal fin that extends the length of the back. The tail is greatly reduced in size, characteristically tapering to a point. They are carnivorous, feeding primarily on other fishes, and have enlarged mouths and sharp, pointed teeth. One species (Trichiurus lepturus) attains a maximum length of 1.5 m (5 feet). The family consists of about 6 genera and 20 species

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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