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sculpin

American  
[skuhl-pin] / ˈskʌl pɪn /

noun

plural

sculpin,

plural

sculpins
  1. any small, freshwater fish of the genus Cottus, of the family Cottidae, having a large head with one or more spines on each side; bullhead.

  2. any of numerous marine fishes of the same family.

  3. (in California) a common scorpionfish, Scorpaena guttata.


sculpin British  
/ ˈskʌlpɪn /

noun

  1. any of various fishes of the family Cottidae (bullheads and sea scorpions)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sculpin

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The divers remain submerged for 40 to 60 minutes, swimming among rockfish and sculpin as they collect materials at depths ranging from 40 to 70 feet.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2023

To maintain this tradition, a delegation from the opposite clan traveled to Washington, D.C., to initiate the laser and CT scanning and photogrammetry of the sculpin hat.

From Scientific American • Jun. 29, 2022

“Maybe a little ahead of his time. The Shenk sculpin and LeTort cricket? They’re go-to flies.”

From Washington Times • Mar. 5, 2016

Its removal restored a habitat for American eel, brook trout, brown trout, slimy sculpin, and sea lamprey.

From The Verge • Jan. 28, 2016

Earl Wakefield caught a sculpin with two heads and sold it to the museum for eight dollars.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck