bonito

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of several swift marine fishes of the genus Sarda, related to mackerel and tuna and valued as food and sport fish

   A school of bonito followed smaller fish near the surface.

2. 2
   noun

   a name also applied to certain closely related scombroid fishes, especially skipjack tuna

   The cook shaved dried bonito over the hot noodles.

Borrowed from Spanish bonito, literally 'pretty,' a diminutive of bueno, 'good,' from Latin bonus. Spanish and English sailors applied the complimentary name to these sleek, swift-swimming food fishes.

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