blowfish
UK[ˈbləʊfɪʃ]US[ˈbloʊfɪʃ]
n
A type of fish, especially a pufferfish, that can inflate its body with water or air as a defense mechanism.
n
The flesh of such a fish, considered a delicacy in some cuisines, especially in Japan where it is prepared as fugu.
Morpheme Breakdown
blow
fish
blow
to blow, puff up, inflate.
fish
fish.
Etymology
The word "blowfish" is a transparent English compound, formed from the verb "blow" and the noun "fish." It is a descriptive name that directly references the creature's most distinctive defensive behavior: its ability to rapidly ingest water or air to puff up its body, making itself appear larger and more difficult for predators to swallow. This literal, behavior-based naming contrasts with the more scientific term "pufferfish" or the Japanese loanword "fugu." The term exemplifies a common pattern in English where observable animal traits are used to form straightforward compound names, making the word's meaning immediately accessible to speakers.
Analysis
Structure: blow + fish
blow: From Old English blāwan, meaning "to blow, puff up, inflate." In this compound, it describes the fish's action of inflating itself.
fish: From Old English fisc, meaning "fish." It denotes the animal's biological class.
Examples
The chef is specially trained to prepare the potentially poisonous blowfish.
When threatened, the blowfish inflates into a spiny ball.
Eating blowfish, or fugu, is considered a risky delicacy.