Coris
/ˈkɔːrɪs/noun
A genus of colorful marine fishes in the wrasse family, Labridae.
Did you know?The genus name Coris is generally traced to Ancient Greek κόρις, meaning “bug” or “bedbug,” apparently reflecting the fish’s appearance rather than any magical property.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κόρις (kóris)
“Bug, especially a bedbug or other small insect”
Classical Greek
Greek
κόρις
“An insect name used in natural descriptions”
18th Century
Scientific Latin
Coris
“A proposed zoological genus name based on Greek kóris”
1801
Scientific Latin
Coris
“Genus established for wrasses and related marine fishes”
Modern English
English
Coris
“A taxonomic genus of colorful marine wrasses”