Topminnow

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small freshwater fish of the American family Poeciliidae, often kept in aquariums and known for living near the surface of slow waters
2. Any of several tiny live-bearing freshwater fishes native to the Americas, frequently found in shallow streams and ponds
3. A small surface-dwelling freshwater fish from the Americas belonging to the family Poeciliidae, valued by hobbyists for its hardiness

Etymology: A topminnow is a small freshwater fish, and its name is a plain compound of two English words: "top," meaning the upper surface of something, and "minnow," the small fish. The name describes where the fish lives, since topminnows feed and swim near the surface of the water, often among floating plants and debris. The second half of the name, "minnow," has its own long history. It comes from the Middle English "minwe," and the fish is named for its small size. Pairing it with "top" was a simple, descriptive choice that tells you exactly where to look for the fish.