prickleback

[ prik-uhl-bak ]

noun

1. any of several blennioid fishes of the family Stichaeidae, usually inhabiting cold waters, having spiny rays in the dorsal fin.
2. stickleback.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prickleback¹

First recorded in 1740–50; prickle + back ¹

Example Sentences

“We found that the monkeyface prickleback’s digestive system is excellent at breaking down starch, which we anticipated,” said the study's co-author, Donovan German, in a statement.

From Fox News

Let them eat monkeyface prickleback, as Marie Antoinette might have said.

From The Guardian

Not only is the monkeyface prickleback bizarre in appearance, but it can live on land as well, surviving for 37 straight hours out of water, thanks to its ability to breathe above and below water.

From Fox News

They have sequenced the genome of the monkeyface prickleback to explain how its digestive system works.

From The Guardian