cyprinodont

[ si-prin-uh-dont, si-prahy-nuh- ]

noun

1. any small, soft-rayed fish of the order Cyprinodontes, of warm, fresh or brackish waters in North America, including the killifishes, topminnows, and guppies.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling the cyprinodonts.

cyprinodont

/ sɪˈpraɪ-; sɪˈprɪnəˌdɒnt /

noun

1. any small tropical or subtropical soft-finned fish of the mostly marine family Cyprinodontidae, resembling carp but having toothed jaws. The group includes the guppy, killifish, swordtail, and topminnow

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Cyprinodontidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyprinodont¹

1855–60; < Latin cyprīn ( us ) (< Greek kyprînos carp) + -odont

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyprinodont¹

C19: from Latin cyprīnus carp (see cyprinid ) + -odont