swordtail

[ sawrd-teyl, sohrd- ]

/ ˈsɔrdˌteɪl, ˈsoʊrd- /

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noun

any of several small, brightly colored, viviparous, freshwater fishes of the genus Xiphophorus, native to Central America, having the lower part of the caudal fin elongated into a swordlike structure: often kept in aquariums.

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Also called helleri.

Origin of swordtail

First recorded in 1925–30; sword + tail¹

Words nearby swordtail

swordplay, swordsman, swordstick, sword-swallower, swordswoman, swordtail, swore, sworn, swot, swotter, swotty

British Dictionary definitions for swordtail

swordtail

/ (ˈsɔːdˌteɪl) /

noun

any of several small freshwater cyprinodont fishes of the genus Xiphophorus, esp X. helleri, of Central America, having a long swordlike tail

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