nageoire

French

Etymology

From nager (“to swim”) +‎ -oire.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /na.ʒwaʁ/

• Audio:

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• Audio (France (Lyon)):

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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 located on the back of a shark or a dolphin are called ailerons. For non solid back fins (tuna), the term nageoire dorsale is used instead.

Derived terms

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

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.