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Glite Dictionary
mayfish

mayfish

9.9
A small striped fish that lives in shallow bays and marshes on the United States Atlantic and Gulf coasts
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : pez mayfish
  • Fishermen often catch mayfish in the shallow waters of coastal marshes.

Examples

  • The distinctive stripes of the mayfish make it easy to spot among other bay species.

  • During late spring, mayfish are commonly seen near the Atlantic shoreline.

  • Look at that beautiful mayfish swimming by!

  • The mayfish is often found in shallow waters.

  • During late spring, mayfish are commonly seen near the Atlantic shoreline.

  • Fishermen often catch mayfish in the shallow waters of coastal marshes.

  • The distinctive stripes of the mayfish make it easy to spot among other bay species.

Synonyms

Fundulus majalis
vsmayfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small fish with dark bars that lives in shallow coastal waters and marshes

is the common English name rather than the scientific label
may fish
vsmayfish
  • US
9.9

A fish with black bars found in shallow bays and marshes along the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts

is the single-word form commonly used
striped killifish
vsmayfish
  • US
8.9

A small fish with dark bars that lives in coastal marshes and bays

refers to the same species without the size or alternate name focus

Surface Forms

mayfish singular
mayfishes plural

Morphology

mayfish = May + fish (semi-transparent) = may + fish

Composed of 'May' + 'fish' so the referent 'a kind of fish' is clear, but the specific species attributes (black-barred, habitat) are not predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Mayfish comes from the month May, because these striped bay fish often appear in late spring. So the name helps you remember they are seen near the shore in 'May'.