Redfishes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A general term for various types of fish, typically with a reddish hue, often found in warm waters and sometimes sought for culinary purposes
2. Referring to multiple species of fish characterized by their red coloration, often popular among anglers and seafood enthusiasts
3. Denoting a variety of fishes that exhibit red as a dominant color, frequently found in marine ecosystems and cultivated for food consumption

Etymology: "Redfishes" is simply the plural of "redfish," which names several unrelated fish that share one colour. The word is an ordinary compound: "red," the colour, joined to "fish." Its meaning is set by the first part, so a redfish is a fish with a reddish hue rather than a member of any single family. The plural follows the usual pattern for sea-fish names. Speakers use "redfishes" when they mean several distinct species, while "redfish" alone is often used for a group or a mass of fish. The plural form is therefore a useful signal that more than one kind of fish is meant.

Synonyms: red snapper, rockfish, sea bream