piranha
piranha
noun pee-RAH-nyah Rare
Origin: Tupi pirá (fish) + sainha (tooth)
Usage Note
Piranha is a loanword in French, with the plural des piranhas. Beyond the fish, it is used figuratively for a ruthlessly aggressive person, as in c'est un vrai piranha en affaires ('he's a real shark in business').
Examples
"Le piranha est redouté pour ses dents tranchantes."
Natural Translation
The piranha is feared for its sharp teeth.
Literal Translation
The piranha is dreaded for its teeth sharp.
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