オニイトマキエイ

also: おにいとまきえい

オ

ニ

イ

ト

マ

キ

エ

イ

Meanings

1

noun

giant oceanic manta ray; Manta birostris

usually written using kana alone

Scientific/common name for the largest species of manta ray. Usually written in katakana.

オニイトマキエイは世せ界かい最さい大だいのエイの一いっ種しゅです。

The giant oceanic manta ray is one of the largest rays in the world.

ダイバーはオニイトマキエイと泳およぐのを楽たのしみにしていた。

The divers were looking forward to swimming with giant oceanic manta rays.

Kanji

鬼ghost, devil
糸thread
巻scroll, volume, book
鱝
鱏ray, skate

Related words

マンタ
マンタ is a more general term for manta rays, while オニイトマキエイ specifically refers to the giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris).
イトマキエイ
イトマキエイ is a broader term for mobula rays; オニイトマキエイ is a specific large species within that group.

Built from

鬼おに+イトマキエイ

Written forms

おにいとまきえい
Hiragana spelling; less common than katakana but still used.
鬼おに糸いと巻まき鱝えい
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; the character 鱝 is a kokuji for rays and skates.
鬼おに糸いと巻まき鱏えい
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; 鱏 is a variant character for rays.

Etymology

The name combines 鬼 (oni, 'demon') with 糸巻 (itomaki, 'spool') and 鱝/鱏 (ei, 'ray'), likely referring to the horn-like cephalic fins and the coiled shape of the mouthparts. The exact origin is uncertain.