Definition

A type of fish that was thought to be extinct but was found alive in 1938. It has unique features like lobed fins and is mainly found in deep waters off the coast of Africa.

Example

The coelacanth is often called a "living fossil" because it has existed for millions of years without significant changes.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the coelacanth?

Yeah, I read that it's a really ancient fish.

It's amazing that it was thought to be extinct for so long!

I know, right? It's like finding a living dinosaur in the ocean.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Coelacanth is derived from the Greek "koilos" (meaning hollow) and "akantha" (meaning spine or thorn). The word refers to a fish with hollow spines in its fins, which is a distinctive feature of this ancient species.

Memory Tip

Imagine a fish with 'hollow' ('koilos') spines ('akantha') in its fins — that's how you remember that a coelacanth is a unique fish with these characteristics.

Visually Confused Words