oarfish

American  

[awr-fish, ohr-] / ˈɔrˌfɪʃ, ˈoʊr- /

noun

PLURAL

oarfish

PLURAL

oarfishes

1. any long, ribbon-shaped, silvery fish of the genus Regalecus, of deep tropical waters, having a red dorsal fin along the spine that rises to a crest, and reaching a length of 30 feet (9 meters).

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oarfish British  

/ ˈɔːˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. Also called: king of the herrings.  a very long ribbonfish, Regalecus glesne, with long slender ventral fins

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Etymology

Origin of oarfish

First recorded in 1855–60; oar + fish

Example Sentences

The oarfish has long been referred to as a doomsday fish, a reference that likely stems from Japanese folklore, which considered spotting such a fish a bad omen of natural disasters.

From Los Angeles Times

Every time an oarfish makes an appearance on the sand, it’s a spectacle for scientists as well as the general public for several reasons.

From Los Angeles Times

Anyone in Southern California interested in seeing one up close can visit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, where an oarfish found in Catalina Island is on display.

From Los Angeles Times

What caused the diesel electric-powered submarine to plummet to such depths, below where giant octopi and oarfish tend to roam, is unclear.

From New York Times

Who wouldn't think, for example, that the giant oarfish, the longest bony fish in the world was some kind serpent?

From BBC