Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Esox americanus

Esox americanus

9.9
A small, lively fish like a pike found along the east coast of North America
  • noun
  • /ˈiːsɒks əˈmɛrɪkənəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Esox americanus
  • The Esox americanus is highly prized by local anglers for its spirited fight.

Examples

  • Unlike its larger relatives, the Esox americanus rarely exceeds a foot in length.

  • Several specimens of Esox americanus were collected from the river last summer.

  • The Esox americanus is known for its vibrant colors.

  • Can you identify an Esox americanus in the stream?

  • Local fishermen often catch the Esox americanus during the summer months in the bay.

  • In clear waters, the Esox americanus can be seen darting among the reeds.

  • The Esox americanus is a popular target for anglers due to its energetic nature.

Synonyms

barred pickerel
vsEsox americanus
  • US
9.4

A small lively fish with dark stripes found on the Atlantic coast

is similar but described with stronger spirit or energy
redfin pickerel
vsEsox americanus
  • US
9.9

A small lively fish with red fins that lives in coastal streams

is the same species but without emphasis on fin color

Surface Forms

Esox americanus singular
Esox americanuses plural

Morphology

Esox + americanus

This is a taxonomic binomial: the genus name 'Esox' denotes a type of fish and the epithet 'americanus' functions as ‘American’ in Latin, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes an American species of Esox/pickerel. Scientific Latin names are compositional and used similarly across languages, making this meaning directly derivable rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Esox americanus is a scientific name made of two parts: Esox was an old word for pike, a long, sharp-toothed fish, and americanus means 'from America'. So the name simply points to a pike-like fish found in America, which matches the fish's modern meaning as a small, lively pickerel.