mullet

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Any of various stout-bodied, edible fishes of the family Mugilidae, found worldwide in tropical and temperate coastal waters and some freshwater streams. Also called gray mullet.
2. n. The red mullet.
3. n. A hairstyle that is formed by cutting the hair short on the the top and sides and allowing it to grow longer in back.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A fish of the genus Mugil or of the family Mugilidæ. Of the true mullets the genus Mugil is the type. The characteristics are —a nearly cylindrical body covered with large scales; six branchiostegal rays; head convex above; the scales large; the muzzle short; an angular rise in the middle of the lower jaw, which fits into a corresponding hollow in the upper; and ciliiform teeth. The best-known species is the common gray mullet or great mullet (M. capito), found round the shores of the British islands, and in particular abundance in the Mediterranean. It grows to the length of from 12 to 20 inches, and exceptionally to nearly 3 feet. It is of a bottle-green color on the back, light on the sides, which are marked with longitudinal bands, and of a silvery white underneath. It frequents shallow water, and in spring and early summer often ascends rivers. It has the habit of rooting in the mud or sand in search of food. Another species, also known as the gray mullet (M. cephalus), a native of the Mediterranean, is distinguished by having its eyes half covered by an adipose membrane. It weighs usually from 10 to 12 pounds, and is the most delicate of all the mullets. A smaller species, the thick lipped gray mullet (M. chelo), is common on the British coasts. Many other species, natives of the Mediterranean, India, and Africa, are much esteemed as food.
2. n. A surmullet, or fish of the family Mullidæ.
3. n. The white sucker or red-horse, Moxostoma macrolepidota.
4. n. One of various fishes of the family Catostomidæ and Cyprinidæ in the United States.
5. n. One of various species of the family Scianidæ and genus Mentieirrus along the coast of the United States.
6. n. The rowel of a spur.
7. n. In heraldry, a star-shaped figure having sometimes five, sometimes six points. It is thought to represent the rowel of a spur, but this is more particularly suggested by the mullet pierced (see below). The mullet is one of the common marks of cadency, and is taken to indicate the third son. Also astroid and molette.
8. n. plural Small tongs or pincers, especially those used for curling the hair.
9. n. Apogon imberbis, a Mediterranean fish.

Wiktionary

1. n. A fish of the genus Mugil.
2. n. A fool
3. n. A hairstyle where the hair is kept short on the top and sides and long at the back.
4. n. slang A person who mindlessly follows a fad, a trend, or a leader.
5. n. heraldry A star with straight edges and usually with five or six points.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous fishes of the genus Mugil; -- called also gray mullets. They are found on the coasts of both continents, and are highly esteemed as food. Among the most valuable species are Mugil capito of Europe, and Mugil cephalus which occurs both on the European and American coasts.
2. n. (Zoöl.) Any species of the genus Mullus, or family Mullidæ; called also red mullet, and surmullet, esp. the plain surmullet (Mullus barbatus), and the striped surmullet (Mullus surmulletus) of Southern Europe. The former is the mullet of the Romans. It is noted for the brilliancy of its colors. See Surmullet.
3. n. (Her.) A star, usually five pointed and pierced; -- when used as a difference it indicates the third son.
4. n. obsolete Small pinchers for curling the hair.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. freshwater or coastal food fishes a spindle-shaped body; found worldwide
2. n. highly valued lean flesh of marine or freshwater mullet
3. n. bottom dwelling marine warm water fishes with two barbels on the chin