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Glite Dictionary
pork-fish

pork-fish

9.9
A fish with black and gold stripes that lives near reefs from Bermuda to Brazil
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : pez cerdo
  • The pork-fish is easily recognized by its striking black and gold stripes.

Examples

  • While snorkeling in the Caribbean, we spotted a school of pork-fish near the reef.

  • Marine biologists often study the pork-fish because of its unique coloration and habitat.

  • The pork-fish is popular in Caribbean cuisine.

  • Many people enjoy eating pork-fish during festivals.

  • Marine biologists often study the pork-fish because of its unique coloration and habitat.

  • While snorkeling in the Caribbean, we spotted a school of pork-fish near the reef.

  • The pork-fish is easily recognized by its striking black and gold stripes.

Synonyms

porkfish
vspork-fish
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea fish with black and gold stripes found near reefs from Bermuda to Brazil

is the hyphenated common name rather than the single word form
Anisotremus virginicus
vspork-fish
  • Specialized
9.9

A fish with black and gold stripes found from Bermuda to Brazil near coral reefs

is the hyphenated common name used in general English

Surface Forms

pork-fish singular
pork-fishes plural

Morphology

pork-fish = pork + fish (semi-transparent) = pork + fish

The compound clearly names a type of fish (so 'fish' is transparent), but the modifier 'pork' does not transparently explain the species' appearance or behaviour for learners, making the full meaning only partially predictable.

Etymology

Pork-fish combines pork and fish. A helpful story says people called it this because the fish makes a grunting sound like a pig, so the name links the animal to familiar 'pork' and helps you remember this black-and-gold striped fish.