guppy
[guhp-ee]
- a small, freshwater topminnow, Poecilia reticulata, often kept in aquariums.
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Origin of guppy
named after R.J.L. Guppy (1836–1916) of Trinidad, who presented specimens to the British Museum; catalogued under the New Latin name Gerardinus guppyi in 1866
Also called rainbow fish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for guppy
Historical Examples
"He is ours, Jobling, and I am acquainted with him," Mr. Guppy retorts.
"There are two branches to this subject, Jobling," says Mr. Guppy.
Yet 'ere are you a-complainin' because Guppy gets 'imself 'urt.
Adventures of BindleHerbert George Jenkins
The fourth brings us the Jellybys, with Mr. Guppy, and others.
The Problem of 'Edwin Drood'W. Robertson Nicoll
As I write these lines, the vision of 'Mr. Guppy' rises before me.
Atlantic Classics, Second SeriesHenry C. Merwin
guppy
- a small brightly coloured freshwater viviparous cyprinodont fish, Lebistes reticulatus, of N South America and the Caribbean: a popular aquarium fish
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Word Origin
C20: named after R. J. L. Guppy, 19th-century clergyman of Trinidad who first presented specimens to the British Museum
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
Word Origin and History for guppy
n.
1925, named for R.J.L. Guppy, Trinidad clergyman who supplied the first specimen (1866) to the British Museum. The family name is from a place in Dorset. The class of streamlined U.S. submarines (1948) is an acronym from greater underwater propulsion power + -y.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper