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Definition of bristlemouth

bristlemouth

/ˈbrɪs.əlˌmaʊθ/
bris · tle · mouth
Plural:bristlemouths
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bristlemouth Lexical Profile

• noun

1

Any of numerous small, deep-sea, bioluminescent marine fishes of the family Gonostomatidae, characterized by a large mouth with fine, bristle-like teeth and often cited as the most abundant vertebrate family on Earth.

Example

"Despite their tiny size and relative obscurity, the bristlemouth exists in such vast numbers that it easily outnumbers human beings."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bristlemouth

• Nearby Words

bristlebird
bristlegrass
bristlehead
bristlemouth
bristletooth
bristliness
bristling

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'bristle' and 'mouth', named for the fine, bristle-like teeth lining the fish's jaws.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bristlemouth. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bristlemouth
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