Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The sea-fox, sea-ape, swingletail, or thresher, Alopias vulpes, a large shark from 12 to 15 feet long, of which the tail forms more than half, whence the name. It is of a bluish lead-color above and white beneath. See cut under Alopias.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word fox-shark.

Examples

  • The so-called fox-shark, when it finds it has swallowed the hook, tries to get rid of it as the scolopendra does, but not in the same way; in other words, it runs up the fishing-line, and bites it off short; it is caught in some districts in deep and rapid waters, with night-lines.

    The History of Animals 2002

  • The mode of generation is the same in the case of the fox-shark.

    The History of Animals 2002

  • Sharks then and their congeners, as the fox-shark and the dog-fish, and the flat fishes, such as the electric ray, the ray, the smooth skate, and the trygon, are first oviparous and then viviparous in the way above mentioned, (as are also the saw-fish and the ox-ray.)

    The History of Animals 2002

  • "It is what is called a ` fox-shark, 'or dog - fish."

    Bob Strong's Holidays Adrift in the Channel John B. [Illustrator] Greene

  • "A fox-shark, begorrah!" repeated Mick, with a grin.

    Young Tom Bowling The Boys of the British Navy John B. [Illustrator] Greene

  • When nearing Teneriffe and close in to the African coast, we saw a splendid tight in the sea, between a big black whale on the one side, and a ` thrasher 'or fox-shark on the other, aided by a swordfish, with which latter he had just apparently struck up an alliance offensive and defensive for the time.

    Young Tom Bowling The Boys of the British Navy John B. [Illustrator] Greene

  • On some occasions, when a pack of killers set out whale-hunting, they will be joined by a thresher -- the fox-shark (Alopias vulpes) -- and then while the killers bite and tear the unfortunate cetacean, the thresher deals him fearful blows with his scythe-like tail.

    Rídan The Devil And Other Stories 1899 Louis Becke 1884

  • _requiem_ of the storm -- the cannibal white shark -- welcomed me with open jaws; the blue shark flung up his caudal for joy; the fox-shark lashed the sea; the northern shark glared through his purblind orbs; the hammer-head dilated his yellow irides; the purple dog-fish made a low purring huzza; and the spotted eyes of the monk-fish glistened with satisfaction.

    Tales of the Chesapeake George Alfred Townsend 1877

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.