numbfish

[ nuhm-fish ]

noun

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

1. an electric ray, so called from its power of numbing numbing its prey by means of electric shocks.

numbfish

/ ˈnʌmˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of several electric rays, such as Narcine tasmaniensis ( Australian numbfish )

Word History and Origins

Origin of numbfish¹

First recorded in 1705–15; numb + fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of numbfish¹

C18: so called because it numbs its victims

Example Sentences

To Narcine belong the smaller numbfish, or "entemedor," of tropical America.

From Project Gutenberg