Elopidae
/ˌɛləˈpiːdiː/noun
A taxonomic family of marine fishes that includes the tenpounders, chiefly in the genus Elops.
Did you know?The name ultimately comes from Ancient Greek ἔλλοψ, a fish-name recorded by classical writers, although the exact identity of that ancient fish remains uncertain.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἔλλοψ (éllops)
“A fish or fish-name mentioned by classical authors; its precise species identity is uncertain.”
18th Century
Latin
Elops
“The Latinized genus name adopted for the tenpounders.”
1766
Latin
Elops
“Carl Linnaeus established Elops as a zoological genus.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Elopidae
“A family name formed from Elops with the zoological suffix -idae, meaning a family containing the genus.”
Modern English
English
Elopidae
“The recognized family of tenpounders and related marine fishes.”
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