sting-ray

A sting-ray glides gracefully over the sandy ocean floor.

Definition

Noun: - A type of fish: "sting-ray" refers to any of various rays (fish of the family Dasyatidae) that have a flattened body and a long, slender tail armed with a sharp, venomous spine. These fish are typically found in warm coastal waters and are known for their defensive sting.

Usage Examples

• (The fish moved smoothly in its natural habitat.)
• (A precaution against accidentally provoking the fish's defensive sting.)

Advanced Usage

• "sting-ray sting": the wound or injury caused by the spine of a sting-ray.
  • The diver received a painful sting-ray sting on his leg. (The injury from the fish's venomous tail.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stingaree (n): an alternative spelling or regional name for a sting-ray, especially in Australian English.
  • The fisherman caught a stingaree in the bay. (A sting-ray in a different naming convention.)

Synonyms

• Ray: a broader term for fish of the order Batoidea, which includes sting-rays.
• Whip ray: another common name for certain species of sting-rays, referring to their long tail.

Related Idioms