dorsal
Word family adverbdorsallynoundorsedorseldorserdorsiflexiondorsiventralitydorsumadjectivedorsibranchiatedorsiferousdorsifixeddorsiflexdorsigradedorsiventraldorsolateraldorsolumbardorsoventraldorsal
dor·sal /ˈdɔːsəl $ ˈdɔːr-/ adjectiveadj [only before noun] dorsal fin• There is nothing clown-like at all about a pale pink fish with a light stripe along the base of the dorsal fin.• When stocking a pool with fish, take care to select healthy individuals with firm, meaty bodies and erect dorsal fins.• Soon, however, many are projecting their dorsal fins high out of the water and are confidently pecking at their food.• The dorsal fin is like a yacht sail; tall and similarly shaped.• The shape of the elongated spiky dorsal fin is reflected in the sweep of the flowing ventral fins.• The trigger, which gives the fish its name, is the leading ray of its dorsal fin which has become bony.• The blennies have a single dorsal fin, which may be almost, but not completely, divided by a deep notch.• Butterflyfish have a spiny dorsal fin, which they are quite prepared to use in attack. Origin dorsal (1400-1500) Late Latin dorsalis, from Latin dorsum “back”