Stickleback

Stickleback
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}. [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • stickleback — c.1400, from O.E. sticel prick, sting (from P.Gmc. *stik pierce, prick, be sharp; see STICK (Cf. stick) (v.)) + BACK (Cf. back) …   Etymology dictionary

  • stickleback — ► NOUN ▪ a small freshwater or coastal fish with sharp spines along its back. ORIGIN from Old English words meaning «thorn, sting» + «back» …   English terms dictionary

  • stickleback — [stik′əl bak΄] n. [ME stykylbak < OE sticel, a prick, sting < base of sticca (see STICK) + ME bak,BACK1] any of a family (Gasterosteidae, order Gasterosteiformes) of small, bony plated, marine and freshwater bony fishes with two to eleven… …   English World dictionary

  • Stickleback — Taxobox name = Sticklebacks image width = 250px image caption = Three spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Actinopterygii ordo = Gasterosteiformes familia = Gasterosteidae subdivision ranks =… …   Wikipedia

  • stickleback — /stik euhl bak /, n. any of the small, pugnacious, spiny backed fishes of the family Gasterosteidae, inhabiting northern fresh waters and sea inlets, the male of which builds and guards the nest. Also called prickleback. [1400 50; late ME… …   Universalium

  • stickleback — /ˈstɪkəlbæk / (say stikuhlbak) noun (plural stickleback or sticklebacks) any of the small, pugnacious, spiny backed fishes of the family Gasterosteidae, of fresh waters and sea inlets, especially Gasterosteus aculeatus, the three spined… …  

  • stickleback — UK [ˈstɪk(ə)lˌbæk] / US noun [countable] Word forms stickleback : singular stickleback plural sticklebacks a small fish with sharp points along its back that lives in rivers …   English dictionary

  • stickleback — [[t]stɪ̱k(ə)lbæk[/t]] sticklebacks N COUNT A stickleback is a small fish which has sharp points along its back …   English dictionary

  • stickleback — noun a small freshwater or coastal fish with sharp spines along its back. [Gasterosteus aculeatus (three spined stickleback) and other species.] Origin ME: from OE sticel thorn, sting + bæc back …   English new terms dictionary

  • Stickleback (disambiguation) — Stickleback can also refer to:*Stickleback, a type of fish *Stickleback (comics), a 2000 AD series by Ian Edginton and D Israeli *USS Stickleback (SS 415), a United States Navy submarine * [http://sourceforge.net/projects/stickleback/ Stickleback …   Wikipedia

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