rat-tail fish

rat-tail fish
Grenadier Gren`a*dier", n. [F. grenadier. See {Grenade}.] 1. (Mil.) Originaly, a soldier who carried and threw grenades; afterward, one of a company attached to each regiment or battalion, taking post on the right of the line, and wearing a peculiar uniform. In modern times, a member of a special regiment or corps; as, a grenadier of the guard of Napoleon I. one of the regiment of Grenadier Guards of the British army, etc. [1913 Webster]

Note: The feats of grenadiers have been memorialized in song, as in the following: (for the melody see http://www.acronet.net/~robokopp/english.html) Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules / The British Grenadiers ca. 18th Century The British Grenadiers Some talk of Alexander, And some of Hercules Of Hector and Lysander, And such great names as these. But of all the world's great heroes, There's none that can compare With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, To the British Grenadier. 2. Those heroes of antiquity Ne'er saw a cannon ball Or knew the force of powder To slay their foes withall. But our brave boys do know it, And banish all their fears, Sing tow, row, row, row, row, row, For the British Grenadier. 3. Whene'er we are commanded To storm the palisades Our leaders march with fusees, And we with hand grenades. We throw them from the glacis, About the enemies' ears. Sing tow, row, row, row, row, row, The British Grenadiers. 4. And when the siege is over, We to the town repair The townsmen cry, "Hurra, boys, Here comes a Grenadier!" Here come the Grenadiers, my boys, Who know no doubts or fears! Then sing tow, row, row, row, row, row, The British Grenadiers. 5. Then let us fill a bumper, And drink a health to those Who carry caps and pouches, And wear the louped clothes. May they and their commanders Live happy all their years With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, For the British Grenadiers.

2. (Zo["o]l.) Any marine fish of the genus {Macrurus}, in which the body and tail taper to a point; they mostly inhabit the deep sea; -- called also {onion fish}, and {rat-tail fish}. [1913 Webster]

3. (Zo["o]l.) A bright-colored South African grosbeak ({Pyromelana orix}), having the back red and the lower parts black. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Rat-tail — n. 1. (Far.) pl. An excrescence growing from the pastern to the middle of the shank of a horse. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) The California chim[ae]ra. See {Chim[ae]ra}. (b) Any fish of the genus {Macrurus}. See {Grenadier}, 2. [1913 Webster …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rat's-tail — rat sˈ tail or ratˈ tail noun 1. The tail of a rat 2. Anything like a rat s tail 3. A thin coherent dangling lock of hair 4. An excrescence on a horse s leg 5. (ratˈ tail) the grenadier fish • • • Main Entry: ↑rat rat s …   Useful english dictionary

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  • rat|fish — «RAT FIHSH», noun, plural fish|es or (collectively) fish. a cartilaginous fish with a long, thin tail and large crushing plates instead of teeth; chimaera: »Liver oil from ratfish is the richest source of butyl alcohol (Science News Letter) …   Useful english dictionary

  • onion fish — Grenadier Gren a*dier , n. [F. grenadier. See {Grenade}.] 1. (Mil.) Originaly, a soldier who carried and threw grenades; afterward, one of a company attached to each regiment or battalion, taking post on the right of the line, and wearing a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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