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Definition of leporinus
leporinus
/ˌlɛp.əˈraɪ.nəs/
lep · o · ri · nus
Plural:leporinuses
leporinus Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of various South American freshwater fish of the genus Leporinus (family Anostomidae), characterized by an elongated body, prominent hare-like front teeth used for grazing, and often striking striped or spotted patterns.
Example
"The banded leporinus is a popular but challenging aquarium fish that requires plenty of space and a secure lid to prevent it from jumping out of the tank."
• Rhymes for leporinus
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From the Modern Latin genus name Leporinus, derived from Latin 'leporinus' (pertaining to a hare), from 'lepus' (hare). The name references the fish's prominent, protruding front teeth which resemble those of a rabbit or hare.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Leporinus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/leporinus