nageoire

French

Etymology

From nager (“to swim”) +‎ -oire.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /na.ʒwaʁ/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

nageoire f (plural nageoires)

1. fin (of fish)
2. flipper (of dolphin, seal, walrus etc.)

Usage notes

The word nageoire is used to describe non solid fins such as the flipper of a dolphin or the side fins of a tuna. Whereas solid fins placed on the back of any animals such as the ones of a shark or a dolphin, be it mammal or a fish are called ailerons. For non solid back fins (tuna), the term nageoires dorsales is respectively used.

Derived terms

• nageoire adipeuse
• nageoire anale
• nageoire caudale
• nageoire dorsale
• nageoire pectorale
• nageoire pelvienne

 

See also

aileron

Further reading

• “nageoire”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
• “nageoire” in Dictionnaire français en ligne Larousse.
• “nageoire” in Dico en ligne Le Robert.