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Definition of osteoglossum
osteoglossum
/ˌɑːstioʊˈɡlɑːsəm/
os · te · o · glos · sum
Plural:osteoglossums
•Adjective:osteoglossid
osteoglossum Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A taxonomic genus of large, elongated freshwater bony fish native to the Amazon Basin and other parts of South America, commonly known as arowanas, distinguished by their large scales and a prominent bony tongue.
Example
"The silver arowana, widely kept by experienced aquarium enthusiasts, is the most well-known species within the genus Osteoglossum."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for osteoglossum• Rhymes for osteoglossum
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Modern Latin Osteoglossum, derived from Ancient Greek 'osteon' (bone) and 'glossa' (tongue), referring to the distinctive toothed bone located on the floor of the fish's mouth.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Osteoglossum. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/osteoglossum