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piranha

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(pi rä′nə, -ran′ə; pi rän′yə)

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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