beardfish

[ beerd-fish ]

noun

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

1. any of several bottom-dwelling fishes of the family Polymyxiidae (single genus Polymixia ), found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and western Pacific Oceans: named for the distinct pair of long barbels under the chin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of beardfish¹

First recorded in 1870–75; shortening of bearded fish