allmouth

9.9

A deep-sea fish with a large mouth and a long wormlike filament used to attract prey

noun

: pez boca de cueva

An allmouth uses its filament to mimic the movement of small worms and attract unsuspecting prey.

Examples

Fishermen rarely catch an allmouth because it lives in such deep and inaccessible waters.
The allmouth is known for its unique hunting technique.
The deep-sea researcher was thrilled to discover an allmouth hidden among the rocks.
Have you ever seen an allmouth in the wild?
An allmouth uses its filament to mimic the movement of small worms and attract unsuspecting prey.
The deep-sea researcher was thrilled to discover an allmouth hidden among the rocks.
Fishermen rarely catch an allmouth because it lives in such deep and inaccessible waters.

Synonyms

anglerfish

vsallmouth

1 8.6

A deep-sea fish with a big mouth and a glowing lure on its head that it uses to attract prey

is used here as a particular name rather than the broad type

frogfish

vsallmouth

1 8.8

A sea fish with a mouth like a frog and a small lure on its nose to attract fish

is similar in having a lure but differs in mouth shape and snout

lotte

vsallmouth

1 9.9

A long freshwater fish with a big mouth and a wormlike filament to attract prey

is usually marine or general rather than freshwater specific

angler

vsallmouth

9.9

A fish with a light on its head that lures other fish

is used here as a specific label rather than the general term

angler fish

vsallmouth

7.4

A deep sea fish with a large mouth and a glowing lure on its head to attract prey

is the broader category name rather than this phrasing

monkfish

vsallmouth

6.3

A large sea fish with a flat, wide head and a big mouth

is the general fish type rather than this specific marine species

Lophius americanus

vsallmouth

Specialized

9.9

A large sea fish from the northwest Atlantic with a long wormlike lure to attract prey

is the broader fish type rather than this named regional species

goosefish

vsallmouth

9.9

A large sea fish with a big mouth and flat wide head that uses a wormlike lure to catch fish

is a general fish type not restricted to that species or region

Surface Forms

allmouth singular

allmouths plural

Morphology

allmouth = all + mouth (semi-transparent) = all + mouth

The compound literally suggests a very large or prominent mouth ('all' + 'mouth'), but the specific zoological sense (a fish with a lure-like filament) is a specialized name not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Allmouth comes from the English parts all and mouth, meaning 'all mouth' and giving a clear picture of a fish with a very large mouth and a worm-like filament that acts like bait. So the name reminds you that this deep-sea fish uses its big mouth and dangling lure to catch prey.