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Glite Dictionary
pacu

pacu

9.9
A South American freshwater fish like a piranha that has flat, human-like teeth and eats fruit
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑːku/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pacu
  • The Pacu fish is a larger cousin to the piranha.

Examples

  • Aquarists love to keep pacu in their freshwater tanks because of their fascinating appearance and peaceful nature.

  • Every department—pain clinic, surgery, PACU, and the postop unit—has nurses interested in obtaining their orthopaedic certification.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The pacu is a unique fish that has flat, human-like teeth that help it eat fruits and plants.

  • In South America, the pacu is often found in rivers and is known for its impressive size and herbivorous diet.

Surface Forms

pacu singular
pacus plural

Etymology

Pacu comes from a Tupi word that passed into Portuguese and then English, so it was the local name for the Amazon fish. That's why the name fits a South American freshwater fish known for its flat, 'human-like' teeth used to eat fruit and plants.