Tunny

Tun′ny (tŭn′ny̆), n.; pl. Tunnies (#). [L. thunnus, thynnus, Gr. θύννος, θῦνος: cf. It. tonno, F. & Pr. thon.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of large oceanic fishes belonging to the Mackerel family, especially the common or great tunny (Orcynus or Albacora thynnus) native of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It sometimes weighs a thousand pounds or more, and is extensively caught in the Mediterranean. On the American coast it is called horse mackerel. See Illust. of Horse mackerel, under Horse. [Written also thynny.]

☞ The little tunny (Gymnosarda alletterata) of the Mediterranean and North Atlantic, and the long-finned tunny, or albicore (see Albicore), are related species of smaller size.