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lampreymore about lamprey

lamprey


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Lamprey  \Lam"prey\,  n.;  pl  {Lampreys}.  [OE.  lampreie  F. 
  lamproie  LL  lampreda  lampetra  from  L.  lambere  to  lick  + 
  petra  rock,  stone.  The  lampreys  are  so  called  because  they 
  attach  themselves  with  their  circular  mouths  to  rocks  and 
  stones,  whence  they  are  also  called  {rocksuckers}.  See  {Lap} 
  to  drink,  {Petrify}.]  (Zo["o]l.) 
  An  eel-like  marsipobranch  of  the  genus  {Petromyzon},  and 
  allied  genera.  The  lampreys  have  a  round,  sucking  mouth, 
  without  jaws,  but  set  with  numerous  minute  teeth,  and  one  to 
  three  larger  teeth  on  the  palate  (see  Illust.  of 
  {Cyclostomi}).  There  are  seven  small  branchial  openings  on 
  each  side  [Written  also  {lamper  eel},  {lamprel},  and 
  {lampron}.] 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  lamprey 
  n  :  primitive  eellike  freshwater  or  anadromous  cyclostome  having 
  round  sucking  mouth  with  a  rasping  tongue  [syn:  {lamprey 
  eel},  {lamper  eel}] 




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