pirana
1
8.2
A small aggressive river fish from South America that eats other animals
- noun
- /pɪˈrɑːnə/
- US
:
piraña
- Many documentaries showcase the pirana as a fierce predator in Amazonian waters.
Examples
-
When swimming in the river, they warned us to be careful of the pirana lurking nearby.
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Notes on my discussions with Pirana.
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I dream of electrocutions and piranas.
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The pirana is known for its sharp teeth and aggressive feeding habits.
Synonyms
piranha
vspirana
26
5.5
A small fish in South American rivers with sharp teeth that eats meat and can attack animals
is broader stressing voracious consumption not just teeth
9.9
A small freshwater fish from South America with sharp teeth that attacks and eats other animals
is similar but highlights ravenous eating rather than overt ferocity
9.9
A freshwater fish with sharp teeth that eats meat in rivers of South America
is the general term for similar fish rather than one species
Surface Forms
Etymology
Pirana comes from an indigenous language of Brazil and joins pira 'fish' and anha 'tooth', so it really means 'toothed fish'. So a pirana is a small, sharp-toothed freshwater fish that bites and eats meat quickly.