Trevallies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of fish belonging to the carangid family, often prized for its game qualities and presence in warm waters
2. Referring to several species of marine fish known for their robust bodies and sharp fins, popular in sport fishing
3. Characterized by their swift swimming and bright coloration, these fish inhabit tropical and subtropical seas, often seen in schools

Etymology: Trevallies are fish of the jack family, and their name is a plural that traces back to a single word, "trevally." The most commonly offered origin links it to "cavally," the name of a related fish, with "trevally" likely an altered form of that older word. The change from "cavally" to "trevally" is the kind of shift that happens when a name passes between speakers and gets reshaped by ear and habit, so the two words may be more closely related in sound than in meaning. The plural itself is straightforward. "Trevallies" is the form of "trevally" used when more than one fish is meant, with the standard English change of a final "y" after a consonant to "ies." The singular noun is the base of the whole group, so the plural simply counts the fish.

Synonyms: jackfish, jack, carangids