PIRANHA


Meaning of PIRANHA in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ pə-ˈrä-nə; -ˈrän-yə, -ˈran- ]

noun

Etymology: Portuguese, from Tupi pirãja, pirãnʸa, from pirá fish + ãja, ãnʸa tooth

Date: 1861

: any of various usually small South American characin fishes (genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus ) that have very sharp teeth, often appear in schools, and include some that may attack and inflict dangerous wounds upon humans and large animals — called also caribe

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.