bowfin
bowfin Lexical Profile
bowfin Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A primitive, predatory freshwater fish (Amia calva) native to eastern North America, characterized by a long dorsal fin, a cylindrical body, and a modified swim bladder that allows it to breathe atmospheric oxygen in poorly oxygenated waters.
"While exploring the swampy backwaters of the Mississippi River, the biologist netted a large bowfin that had surfaced to gulp air."
Word Nuance & Usage
The native North American bowfin is sometimes mistakenly identified as the invasive northern snakehead, but anglers can distinguish it by its shorter anal fin and the characteristic black eyespot near its tail.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in American English in the early 18th century, derived from the words 'bow' (referring to the long, undulating, bow-like dorsal fin) and 'fin'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.