Belone

/bəˈloʊn/ noun

Definition

A genus of slender, long-jawed marine fish commonly known as needlefish, found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide.

Etymology

From Greek 'belone' meaning 'needle,' referring to the fish's long, pointed snout that resembles a sewing needle. The term entered scientific nomenclature in the 18th century for taxonomic classification.

Kelly Says

Needlefish have transparent heads when they're young—you can actually see their brains and eyes through their skin! This incredible adaptation helps them avoid detection by predators in the open ocean.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.