piranha

(pi ränə, -ranə; pi rän)

noun pl. piranhas or piranha

any of various small South American freshwater bony fishes (family Serrasalmidae, order Cypriniformes) having strong jaws and very sharp teeth: they hunt in schools, attacking any animals, including human beings

Origin: BrazPort < Tupí & Guaraní, toothed fish < pirá, fish + sainha, tooth

See piranha in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also pi·ra·ña

noun
Any of several tropical American freshwater fishes of the genus Serrasalmus that are voraciously carnivorous and often attack and destroy living animals. Also called caribe.

Origin:

Origin: Portuguese

Origin: , from Tupi

Origin: : pirá, fish

Origin: + ánha, to cut

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