different between xrayfish vs piranha

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