Definition

1. Noun:
   • A powerful, free-swimming tropical ray (a type of fish) known for its ability to move through the water by flapping its large, wing-like pectoral fins, giving the appearance of soaring. It is generally not aggressive towards humans but possesses venomous tissue near the base of its tail, similar to stingrays.

Usage

• The term "eagle ray" is used to refer to this specific marine animal, typically within contexts of marine biology, wildlife documentaries, fishing, or oceanography.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., an eagle ray, several eagle rays).

Examples

• Noun:
  • We spotted a magnificent eagle ray gliding over the coral reef.
  • Eagle rays are often mistaken for stingrays due to their similar tail structure.
  • The diver remained still as the school of eagle rays passed by.

Advanced Usage

• Collective Reference: The term can be used to refer to the species or family (Myliobatidae) as a whole.
  • The eagle ray is a member of the cartilaginous fish group.

Variants and Related Words

• Spotted eagle ray (): A common species of eagle ray known for its distinctive white spots.
• Manta ray: A related but much larger type of ray, often confused with eagle rays. Manta rays lack a venomous tail spine.
• Stingray: A different family of rays that also possess a venomous tail spine but typically have a more rounded body shape and different swimming behavior.

Synonyms

• Bat ray (regional, for some species)
• Whipray (a less common general term for some eagle rays)

Related Phrases

• Venomous tail spine: The defensive, barbed spine located near the base of the tail, which is a key identifying feature shared with stingrays.
• Pectoral fins: The large, wing-like fins that eagle rays "flap" to swim, which are central to the definition.

Noun

1. powerful free-swimming tropical ray noted for `soaring' by flapping winglike fins; usually harmless but has venomous tissue near base of the tail as in stingrays