Elopiformes
/ˌɛləˈpɪfɔːrmiːz/noun
A taxonomic order of ray-finned fishes that includes tarpons and ladyfish.
Did you know?The name is built from the Greek fish-name elops and the Latin scientific suffix -formēs, meaning “having the form of,” rather than from any magical or symbolic tradition.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἔλοψ (élops)
“A fish name, later applied as the genus name Elops; its deeper origin is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
forma
“Shape, form, or appearance.”
18th Century
Neo-Latin
Elops
“The scientific genus name for tarpons and closely related fishes.”
19th Century
Neo-Latin
Elopiformes
“A taxonomic group whose members are “Elops-shaped” or related to Elops.”
Modern English
English
Elopiformes
“The order containing tarpons, ladyfish, and related ray-finned fishes.”