swordfish

Sword"fish`, n. 1. (Zoöl.) (a) A very large oceanic fish (Xiphias gladius), the only representative of the family Xiphiidæ. 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 ger pike. (c) The cutlass fish. 2. (Astron.) Defn: A southern constellation. See Dorado, 1. Swordfish sucker (Zoöl.), a remora (Remora brachyptera) which attaches itself to the swordfish.

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