moray U.S.
(mɒˈreɪ)
Also 7 moreraye, 8–9 muray, murrey, 9 maray, murry (Cent. Dict.).
[? a. Pg. moreia = Sp. morena:—L. muræna.]
A name for various tropical species of eel belonging to the family Murænidæ.
| 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia v. 172 Some of them yet knowne to the Americans, as the Purgoose, the Cauallo, the Gar-fish, Flying-fish and Morerayes. 1735 Mortimer Nat. Hist. Carol. & Bahamas in Phil. Trans. XXXIX. 112 Muræna maculata nigra; the black Murrey. 1754 Catesby Nat. Hist. Carol. II. 20 Muræna maculata, nigra, & viridis. The Muray. 1884 G. B. Goode, etc. Nat. Hist. Aquatic Anim. 629 The Morays—Murænidæ... The most important species is the Speckled Moray, Sidera ocellata. 1897 H. G. Carleton in Outing XXIX. 330/1 [Fishes of Florida.] There is the murrey, which is pronounced with the accent on the final. |