'Xiphias gladius' definitions:
Definition of 'Xiphias gladius'
(from WordNet)
noun
Large toothless marine food fish with a long swordlike upper jaw; not completely cold-blooded i.e. they are able to warm their brains and eyes: worldwide in warm waters but feed on cold ocean floor coming to surface at night [syn: swordfish, Xiphias gladius]
Definition of 'Xiphias gladius'
From: GCIDE
- Swordfish \Sword"fish`\, n.
- 1. (Zool.) (a) A very large oceanic fish (Xiphias gladius), the only representative of the family Xiphiidae. It is highly valued as a food fish. The bones of the upper jaw are consolidated, and form a long, rigid, swordlike beak; the dorsal fin is high and without distinct spines; the ventral fins are absent. The adult is destitute of teeth. It becomes sixteen feet or more long. (b) The gar pike. (c) The cutlass fish. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Astron.) A southern constellation. See Dorado, 1. [1913 Webster]
- Swordfish sucker (Zool.), a remora (Remora brachyptera) which attaches itself to the swordfish. [1913 Webster]