Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The typical genus of the family Gasterosteidæ, by some extended to include all the species of that family, but by others restricted to the short species with pelvic bones forming a triangular plate, and two dorsal spines, as G. aculeatus: so called from the extension of the pubic bones along the ventral aspect of the fish, making the belly bony. See
stickleback .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun type genus of the family Gasterosteidae
Etymologies
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Examples
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A person, by my order, has searched our brooks, but could find no such fish as the _gasterosteus pungitius_; he found the _gasterosteus aculeatus_ in plenty.
The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 1 Gilbert White 1756
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