topminnow

[ top-min-oh ]
/ ˈtɒpˌmɪn oʊ /

noun, plural (especially collectively) top·min·now, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) top·min·nows.

any of several small, surface-swimming fishes of the egg-laying family Cyprinodontidae and the live-bearing family Poeciliidae, some of which are used in mosquito control.

Origin of topminnow

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; top1 + minnow

Words nearby topminnow

topline, toplofty, topman, topmast, topmaul, topminnow, topmost, topneck, topnotch, topo, topo-

British Dictionary definitions for topminnow

topminnow
/ (ˈtɒpˌmɪnəʊ) /

noun plural -now or -nows

any of various small American freshwater cyprinodont fishes that are either viviparous (genera Heterandria, Gambusia, etc) or egg-laying (genus Fundulus)

Word Origin for topminnow

from top 1 + minnow; so called because they are small and swim near the surface of the water