Anguillid
/ˈæŋ.ɡwɪ.lɪd/noun
A member of the eel family Anguillidae, which includes freshwater eels.
Did you know?The Latin words anguis, “snake,” and anguilla, “eel,” reflect an ancient visual association between the eel’s long, limbless body and a serpent.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂engʷʰis
“Snake or serpent; a reconstructed root associated with long, limbless animals”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἔχις (ékʰis)
“Snake or viper; a related Indo-European form”
Classical Latin
Latin
anguis
“Snake or serpent”
Classical Latin
Latin
anguilla
“Eel, probably a diminutive form connected with anguĭs, “snake””
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Anguillidae
“The zoological family name for freshwater and related eels”
Modern English
English
anguillid
“A member of the eel family Anguillidae”