Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
Any of several very large pelagic rays formerly of the genus Manta, now placed in genus Mobula, with winglike pectoral fins, a long tail, and two fins resembling horns that project from the head.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: manta, sea pancake, majestic flap-flap, majestic sea flap-flap
Antonyms: none provided
noun
extremely large pelagic tropical ray that feeds on plankton and small fishes; usually harmless but its size make it dangerous if harpooned
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: manta, devilfish
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: ray
Narrower terms: Atlantic manta, Manta birostris, devil ray, Mobula hypostoma
History
From Spanish mantarraya, itself a compound from manta and raya; according to Jorge Juan y Santacilia and Antonio de Ulloa, so called “for being broad and long like a quilt”.
Across languages
23 source translations are retained for this English entry.
