remora
remora Lexical Profile
remora Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various marine fishes of the family Echeneidae, distinguished by a modified dorsal fin on the head that forms an oval sucking disk used to attach to larger marine animals, such as sharks, whales, or sea turtles.
"The diver photographed a massive whale shark gracefully swimming by with several remoras attached to its belly."
A person or entity that attaches themselves to another, typically for support, protection, or dependent advantage.
"Critics viewed the minor politician as a remora, constantly clinging to the coattails of more powerful candidates without offering any substantive ideas of his own."
A delay, hindrance, or impediment (now largely archaic).
"The bureaucratic appeals process acted as a significant remora to the timely execution of the new environmental policy."
• Rhymes for remora
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'remora' meaning 'delay' or 'hindrance', derived from 're-' (back) and 'mora' (delay). The name arose from the ancient Roman belief that these fish would attach to the hulls of ships and magically slow or halt their progress.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.