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Definition of mormyrid
mormyrid
/ˈmɔːr.mɪ.rɪd/
mor · myr · id
Plural:mormyrids
•Adjective:mormyrid
mormyrid Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any weakly electric freshwater fish belonging to the family Mormyridae, native to Africa and often distinguished by an elongated, trunk-like snout and a highly developed brain.
Example
"In murky river waters, the mormyrid relies on its specialized electric organ to navigate and locate prey."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for mormyrid• adjective
1
Relating to or characteristic of the freshwater fish family Mormyridae.
Example
"The researchers analyzed the mormyrid electroreceptor organs to understand their distinct communication signals."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Modern Latin taxonomic family name 'Mormyridae', from the Ancient Greek 'mormúros' (a sea fish), combined with the zoological suffix '-id' indicating a member of a family.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mormyrid. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mormyrid