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cichlid

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

Origin of cichlid

1880–85; <New Latin Cichlidae, equivalent to Cichl(a) a genus (<Greek kíchlē thrush, wrasse) + -idae-id2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cichlid in a sentence

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

Derived forms of cichlid

cichloid, adjective

Word Origin for cichlid

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