convict fish
- noun
- /kənˈvɪkt fɪʃ/
- US
:
pez convicto
- The convict fish is easily recognized by its distinct black bands running along its pale body.
Examples
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We spotted a school of convict fish swimming near the coral during our dive.
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Marine biologists studied the habitat of the convict fish along the rocky reefs.
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Look at the convict fish!
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The convict fish is known for its striking appearance.
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The convict fish is easily recognized by its distinct black bands running along its pale body.
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We spotted a school of convict fish swimming near the coral during our dive.
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Marine biologists studied the habitat of the convict fish along the rocky reefs.
Synonyms
1
9.0
A sea fish from the northern Pacific that people eat
A small pale green fish with bold black bands on its body
A green fish with a pale body and black bands found near Pacific rocky reefs
A small fish that lives near the coast and has a light body with dark bands
Surface Forms
Morphology
convict + fish
This is a noun–noun compound where 'convict' modifies 'fish' to describe its appearance (the black bands resemble prison stripes). The relation is metaphorical rather than strictly compositional and depends on cultural knowledge that 'convict' evokes striped prison uniforms, so a B1 learner might infer it but not reliably without that background.
Etymology
Convict fish The name convict fish comes from how the animal looks. Its pale body with dark vertical stripes reminds people of the black-and-white clothes once worn by convicts, meaning 'prisoners', so the name helps you remember this striped fish.