blenny

[ blen-ee ]

noun

, plural blen·nies.

1. any of several fishes of the family Blenniidae and related families, especially of the genus Blennius, having a long, tapering body and small pelvic fins inserted before the pectoral fins.

blenny

/ ˈblɛnɪ /

noun

1. any blennioid fish of the family Blenniidae of coastal waters, esp of the genus Blennius , having a tapering scaleless body, a long dorsal fin, and long raylike pelvic fins
2. any of various related fishes

Word History and Origins

Origin of blenny¹

1745–55; < Latin blennius a kind of fish < Greek blénnos slime, mucus; so called from its slimy coating

Word History and Origins

Origin of blenny¹

C18: from Latin blennius , from Greek blennos slime; from the mucus that coats its body

Example Sentences

"Butterfly blenny naturally choose abandoned whelk shells as their home but it seems they can get creative," she said..

From BBC

A specialized diet and the ability to adapt allowed blennies, also known as "land fish," to move out of the water and live on land, according to a new study.

From Fox News

I focus on animals and plants that go largely unnoticed: small crustaceans and fish species such as gobies and blennies that grow 3 or 4 centimetres long.

From Nature

What, we wonder, is the character of this sea lion; what kind of individual is this hammerhead shark; what is on the mind of this blenny?

From New York Times

These morphine-like compounds cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, apparently disorientating a predator and letting the blenny escape.

From BBC