cichlid

[ sik-lid ]

noun

any of the spiny-rayed, freshwater fishes constituting the family Cichlidae, of South America, Africa, and southern Asia, superficially resembling the American sunfishes and popular in home aquariums.

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the family Cichlidae.

Origin of cichlid

1880–85; <New Latin Cichlidae, equivalent to Cichl(a) a genus (<Greek kíchlē thrush, wrasse) + -idae-id²

Also cich·loid [sik-loid]. /ˈsɪk lɔɪd/.

Words Nearby cichlid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for cichlid

cichlid

/ (ˈsɪklɪd) /

noun

any tropical freshwater percoid fish of the family Cichlidae, which includes the mouthbrooders. Cichlids are popular aquarium fishes

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Cichlidae

Origin of cichlid

C19: from New Latin Cichlidae, ultimately from Greek kikhlē a sea fish

Derived forms of cichlid

cichloid, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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