stickleback

2 definitions found

stickleback - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Stickleback \Stic"kle*back`\, n. [OE. & Prov E. stickle a
     prickle, spine, sting (AS. sticel) + back. See Stick, v.
     t., and cf. Banstickle.] (Zool.)
     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]

stickleback - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  stickleback
      n 1: 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, prickleback]