clingfish

[kling-fish]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

clingfish ,

plural

clingfishes .

any fish of the family Gobiesocidae, having a sucking disk on the abdomen for clinging cling to stones, debris, etc.

clingfish

/ ˈ��ɪŋˌ��ɪʃ /

noun

any small marine teleost fish of the family Gobiesocidae, having a flattened elongated body with a sucking disc beneath the head for clinging to rocks, etc

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Word History and Origins

Origin of clingfish¹

First recorded in 1890–95; cling ¹ + fish

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

When the researchers pitted euthanized clingfish against eight manufactured suction cups, the fish held fast to eight materials ranging from glass to the grittiest sandpaper.

From

Scanning electron microscope images showed that the clingfish's suction cup is bordered with filaments similar in size to those on the sticky feet of geckos, according to a paper online today in .

From

The researchers hope that the clingfish's superior suction cup may show the way to artificial devices that can better adhere to rough, wet surfaces.

From

clingfilm clinging vine

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