Guara

/ɡwɑːˈrɑː/ noun

Definition

A South American freshwater fish with large teeth and a voracious appetite, known for its aggressive feeding behavior; also spelled piranha in some regions.

Etymology

From Tupi (Brazilian indigenous language) guara or gwara, meaning roughly 'fish eater' or 'bite'; Portuguese and Spanish colonizers borrowed the term from indigenous peoples.

Kelly Says

Guaras are the original piranhas—the name came from Tupi peoples who knew these fierce fish long before they terrified European colonizers!

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