numbfish

[ nuhm-fish ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural (especially collectively) numb·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) numb·fish·es.

an electric ray, so called from its power of numbing numbing its prey by means of electric shocks.

numbfish

/ ˈnʌmˌfɪʃ /

any of several electric rays, such as Narcine tasmaniensis ( Australian numbfish )

First recorded in 1705–15; numb + fish

C18: so called because it numbs its victims

To Narcine belong the smaller numbfish, or "entemedor," of tropical America.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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