remora Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun marine fishes with a flattened elongated body and a sucking disk on the head for attaching to large fish or moving objects
suckerfish; sucking fish.

L.: cf. F. rémora.

Delay; obstacle; hindrance. Obs. Milton.
(Zoöl.) Any one of several species of fishes belonging to Echeneis, Remora, and allied genera. Called also sucking fish. ✍ The anterior dorsal fin is converted into a large sucking disk, having two transverse rows of lamellæ, situated on the top of the head. They adhere firmly to sharks and other large fishes and to vessels by this curious sucker, letting go at will. The pegador, or remora of sharks (Echeneis naucrates), and the swordfish remora (Remora brachyptera), are common American species.
(Surg.) An instrument formerly in use, intended to retain parts in their places. Dunglison.