nageoire

From nager (“to swim”) +‎ -oire.

• IPA^(key): /na.ʒwaʁ/

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nageoire f (plural nageoires)

1. fin (of fish)
2. flipper (of dolphin, seal, walrus etc.)

The word nageoire is used to describe non solid fins such as the flipper of a dolphin or the side fins of a tuna. Whereas solid fins placed on the back of any animals such as a shark or a dolphin, be it mammal or a fish are called ailerons. For non solid back fins (tuna), the term nageoires dorsales is respectively used.

aileron

• “nageoire”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
• “nageoire” in Dictionnaire français en ligne Larousse.
• “nageoire” in Dico en ligne Le Robert.