Yellowfin
/ˈjɛl.oʊˌfɪn/noun
A fish, especially a tuna, characterized by yellow-colored fins.
Did you know?“Yellowfin” is a descriptive compound rather than an occult term: in yellowfin tuna, the vivid yellow dorsal and anal fins become especially dramatic in mature fish.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰel- / *ǵʰelwos
“To shine or be yellow-green; the ancient color root behind “yellow.””
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*gelwaz
“Yellow or golden-colored.”
Old English
Old English
geolu
“Yellow; the color term that developed into modern “yellow.””
Old English
Old English
finn
“A fin or feather-like projecting part of a fish or animal.”
Middle English
Middle English
yelwen / finne
“Forms corresponding to “yellow” and “fin,” preserving the descriptive color-and-body-part structure.”
19th Century
English
yellowfin
“A compound name for fish distinguished by yellow fins, especially yellowfin tuna.”
Modern English
English
yellowfin
“A common name for several fishes, most famously the yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares.”