anal pore

noun

: an opening on the exterior surface of an animal (such as a fish, nematode, or paramecium) through which undigested food, water, or gas is expelled

The anal fin, on the underside of the striped bass just behind the anal pore, looks a lot like the reverse of the soft dorsal fin.

—Nicholas Karas, The Complete Book of Striped Bass Fishing, 2000

Note: Anal pore is often used interchangeably with vent in reference to certain animals and especially fish.

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

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