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Glite Dictionary
razor fish

razor fish

9.9
A small colorful fish with a thin body and sharp head that lives near coral reefs
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : pez navaja
  • The razor fish is known for its unusual body shape and sharp-edged head.

Examples

  • Divers often spot the colorful razor fish swimming among coral reefs.

  • Some species of razor fish can quickly burrow into the sand for protection.

  • The razor fish is known for its unique shape.

  • Have you ever seen a razor fish before?

  • Divers often spot the colorful razor fish swimming among coral reefs.

  • Some species of razor fish can quickly burrow into the sand for protection.

  • The razor fish is known for its unusual body shape and sharp-edged head.

Synonyms

razor-fish
vsrazor fish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sea fish with a thin sharp head that hides in rocks

is the unhyphenated general name for these species
Hemipteronatus
vsrazor fish
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea fish with a long thin body that looks like a knife

is a broader common group of small wrasse species with compressed heads
pearly razorfish
vsrazor fish
9.9

A small sea fish with a long thin body and pearly colour that lives near sandy shores

refers to several species with compressed sharp heads in West Indies and Mediterranean

Surface Forms

razor fish singular
razor fishes plural

Morphology

razor + fish

The compound is directly compositional: 'razor' denotes a sharp, blade-like quality and 'fish' names the animal, so the phrase denotes a fish with razor-like/sharp features. This straightforward noun-noun naming pattern is common in English and cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Razor fish comes from the fish's look: its head and body are very thin and flat with a sharp edge like a razor, so it looks blade-like. So the name came to mean 'a small sea fish with a blade-like head'.