🐟 A deep-sea fish 💇 A thin hair strand

rattail

9.8

A deep-sea fish with a large head and a long tapering tail

noun

Specialized

: rattail

For instance, fishes in the family Macrouridae were called rattails because of their long tapering tails, but who wants to eat a rattail?

Examples

Scientists study various species of rattails to understand their adaptations to deep-sea environments.
The rattail fish, known for its long, slender appearance, is commonly found in the deep sea.
MARSCHALL: Even the fish don't look like the same rattails that are found outside.

Ghosts of the Abyss (2003)
For instance, fishes in the family Macrouridae were called rattails because of their long tapering tails, but who wants to eat a rattail?

Blog text (24)
Grenadiers (also known as rattails) belong to the family Macrouridae and are related to the codfishes (family Gadidae).

Academic text (1990)
Many fishermen are fascinated by the rattail, a unique fish that thrives in the ocean's depths.

Synonyms

grenadier

vsrattail

Specialized

1 9.9

A deep-sea fish with a large head, long thin body, and a tail that becomes thin

is the same fish but named differently

rattail fish

vsrattail

Specialized

9.6

A deep sea fish with a large head and a long thin tail

refers to the same species using the single alternative name

Compounds

rattail fish

Specialized

9.6

A deep sea fish with a large head and a long thin tail

rattail cactus

9.3

A tropical cactus with long thin hanging stems and bright red flowers

Surface Forms

rattail singular

rattails plural

Morphology

rattail = rat + tail (semi-transparent) = rat + tail

Formed from 'rat' + 'tail' and the components are clear, but the technical sense naming a specific deep-sea fish is a specialized metaphorical extension.

Etymology

The word rattail comes from the simple words rat and tail, because this deep-sea fish has a very long, thin 'tail' that looks like a rat's. So the name helps you picture the fish's long, tapering shape.