Spadefish
/ˈspeɪdˌfɪʃ/noun
A spade-shaped marine fish, especially any of several brightly colored reef fish in the family Ephippidae.
Did you know?Despite the occult vibe of the word, spadefish is a straightforward compound: the fish was named for its spade-like outline, with no hidden ritual or magical origin behind it.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
spadu / spada
“A spade or digging tool”
Old English
OE
fisc
“A fish”
Early Modern English
English
spade-fish
“A fish shaped like a spade”
Modern English
English
spadefish
“A spade-shaped marine fish”