- Xiphias gladius
- Swordfish Sword"fish`, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A very large oceanic fish ({Xiphias gladius}), the
only representative of the family {Xiphiid[ae]}. It is
highly valued as a food fish. The bones of the upper
jaw are consolidated, and form a long, rigid,
swordlike beak; the dorsal fin is high and without
distinct spines; the ventral fins are absent. The
adult is destitute of teeth. It becomes sixteen feet
or more long.
(b) The gar pike.
(c) The cutlass fish.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Astron.) A southern constellation. See {Dorado}, 1. [1913 Webster]
{Swordfish sucker} (Zo["o]l.), a remora ({Remora brachyptera}) which attaches itself to the swordfish. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
