browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
prickleback |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Stickleback \Stic"kle*back`\, n. [OE. & Prov E. stickle a prickle, spine, sting (AS. sticel) + back See {Stick}, v. t., and cf {Banstickle}.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small fishes of the genus {Gasterosteus} and allied genera. The back is armed with two or more sharp spines. They inhabit both salt and brackish water, and construct curious nests. Called also {sticklebag}, {sharpling}, and {prickleback}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prickleback \Pric"kle*back`\, Pricklefish \Pric"kle*fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.) The stickleback. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: prickleback n 1: small elongate fishes of shallow northern seas; a long dorsal fin consists entirely of spines 2: small (2-4 inches) pugnacious mostly scaleless spiny-backed fishes of northern fresh and littoral waters having elaborate courtship; subjects of much research [syn: {stickleback}]
more about prickleback
This work is licensed under a
