Gurami

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A tropical freshwater fish known for its labyrinth organ, enabling it to breathe air and thrive in low-oxygen environments
2. This species is often kept in aquariums due to its vibrant colors and interesting behavior
3. Belonging to the family Osphronemidae, these fish are known for their peaceful nature and ability to adapt to various water conditions

Etymology: The fish's name travelled a long way before reaching English aquariums. It begins in Javanese "gurami", which passed into Malay in the same form. French naturalists then borrowed it as "gourami", and English took the word from French. The spelling "gurami" is an alternative form of the same word, so both are correct. The gourami family, Osphronemidae, comes from Southeast Asia, and the Javanese name reflects the fish's home in the islands of the Malay world. The Malay and Javanese form is the source of the whole chain, so the English word is really a Southeast Asian name that was carried into European languages through French.

Synonyms: gourami