Istiophorus

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus of large, fast marine billfishes in the family Istiophoridae, including the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific sailfish
2. Scientific name for a group of ocean-dwelling billfish distinguished by a long, sail-like dorsal fin
3. The taxonomic genus of sailfish, swift predatory fish with elongated bills and prominent dorsal fins

Etymology: Its name describes the fish's most striking feature. It comes from New Latin, built from the Ancient Greek "histion," meaning "little sail," and "-phorus," from "phoros," meaning "bearing" or "carrying." The sailfish's enormous dorsal fin, which rises like a sail above its back, gave the genus its name. The fish is still called a sailfish in English, so the Latin name simply translates that ordinary description. Scientists chose Greek roots to name the group, which was a common practice for naming animal genera.