different between piranha vs caribe

English

Alternative forms

• piraña, pirana
• piraya (obsolete)

Etymology

First attested in 1869. The first part of the term is from Old Tupi pirá (“fish”). There are several theories regarding the source of second part, including:

• It may be from Old Tupi sanha, sainha (“tooth”), or a Guaraní cognate of the same.
• It may be from Old Tupi ánha, anhá (“cut”) (which also meant "bad" or "devil" in Tupi-Guarani).
• The full term may have been pira nya, a variant of pira'ya (“scissor-fish”), in Old Tupi.

The term entered English via Portuguese (as piranha) and Spanish (as piraña).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /p?????nj?/, /p?????n?/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /p????nj?/, /p???ænj?/, /p????n?/, /p???æn?/

Noun

piranha (plural piranhas or piranha)

1. (ichthyology) Any of the carnivorous or frugivorous freshwater fish living in South American rivers and belonging to the subfamily Serrasalminae.

Derived terms

• piranha solution

Translations

References

Cebuano

Etymology

From English piranha, from Old Tupi pirãia (“fish”).

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: pi?ran?ha

Noun

piranha

1. a piranha

Italian

Etymology

From Old Tupi.

Noun

piranha m (invariable)

1. piranha

Portuguese

Etymology

From Old Tupi pirãia.

Pronunciation

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /?pi.????.?a/

Noun

piranha f (plural piranhas)

1. piranha
2. (derogatory, vulgar, Brazil) slut

English

Etymology

From Spanish caribe

Noun

caribe (plural caribes)

1. piranha fish

Spanish

Etymology

From Arawak kalingo, kalino, words used to designate strength and bravery.

Adjective

caribe (plural caribes)

1. Caribbean
2. hot

3. piranha fish

Descendants

• Latin: Caribaeus