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soldier-fish

soldier-fish

9.5
A large bright fish with spiny fins that lives on coral reefs in warm seas
  • noun
  • /ˈsoʊldʒər fɪʃ/
translation icon : pez soldado
  • Divers were excited to spot a large school of soldier-fish near the shipwreck.

Examples

  • The coral reef was teeming with vibrant soldier-fish swimming among the rocks.

  • At the aquarium, the bright red soldier-fish quickly became a favorite among visitors.

  • The soldier-fish swam gracefully through the coral reef.

  • I saw a soldier-fish during my snorkeling trip.

  • At the aquarium, the bright red soldier-fish quickly became a favorite among visitors.

  • Divers were excited to spot a large school of soldier-fish near the shipwreck.

  • The coral reef was teeming with vibrant soldier-fish swimming among the rocks.

Synonyms

soldierfish
vssoldier-fish
9.1

A bright red sea fish that lives near coral reefs and is active at night

is a large tropical reef fish known for bright colors and spiny fins
squirrelfish
vssoldier-fish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small bright red fish with big eyes that lives near coral reefs

is a larger tropical reef fish with spiny fins rather than large eyes

Surface Forms

soldier-fish singular

Morphology

soldier-fish = soldier + fish (transparent) = soldier + fish

Clear compound of 'soldier' + 'fish' meaning a fish named/characterized by 'soldier', so the semantic relation is directly inferable.

Etymology

Soldier-fish is simply soldier + fish, and a helpful way to remember it is to imagine their bright red colour and sharp spines like little 'red-coat' soldiers with weapons. That's why soldier-fish is used for a tropical, often red, spiny type of squirrelfish.