Stomiatidae

plural noun

Sto·​mi·​at·​i·​dae
ˌstōmēˈatəˌdē
: a family of small slender usually scaleless deep-sea fishes having a short head that bears an enormous mouth full of long powerful teeth and a highly distensible stomach and with living and extinct related fishes forming a suborder of the order Isospondyli compare dragonfish

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, irregular from Stomias, type genus (irregular from Greek stoma mouth) + -idae

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near Stomiatidae

Cite this Entry

“Stomiatidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Stomiatidae. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!