Ludericks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A name for a type of coastal fish found in Australian waters ; a term referring to multiple marine species of the genus Girella often sought after by anglers
2. Used to identify several herbivorous fish native to waters near Australia, especially of the Girella genus ; a plural form denoting these particular species
3. Refers collectively to certain blackfish commonly inhabiting rocky Australian shorelines and popular among fishers ; the plural designation for these coastal fish species

Etymology: "Ludericks" is the plural of "luderick," a name for a dark, herbivorous fish found along the Australian coast. The singular is the word that carries the etymology: it was borrowed into English from the name the Aboriginal peoples of Australia gave the fish, a case of a local Indigenous word entering the language as a common name for a species that European settlers encountered on the continent's shores. Because the word is a loanword, its shape reflects the sound of the original Aboriginal name as English speakers rendered it, not any English root. The plural simply follows the ordinary English pattern of adding "s," so "ludericks" is the form used when speaking of more than one fish.

Synonyms: luderick, parrotfish