swellfish

swellfish
Puffer Puff"er, n. 1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant commendation. [1913 Webster]

2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. --Bouvier. [1913 Webster]

3. (Zo["o]l.) (a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the species of {Tetrodon} and {Diodon} of the family {Tetraodontidae}; -- called also {blower}, {puff-fish}, {swellfish}, and {globefish}. They are highly poisonous due to the presence of glands containing a potent toxin, {tetrodotoxin}. Nevertheless they are eaten as a delicacy in Japan, being prepared by specially licensed chefs who remove the poison glands. (b) The common, or harbor, porpoise. [1913 Webster]

4. (Dyeing) A kier. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • swellfish — ☆ swellfish [swel′fish΄ ] n. pl. swellfish or swellfishes (see FISH) PUFFER (sense 2) …   English World dictionary

  • Swellfish — Swell fish , n. (Zo[ o]l.) Any plectognath fish that dilates itself, as the bur fish, puffer, or diodon. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • swellfish — Bur fish Bur fish (Zo[ o]l.) A spinose, plectognath fish of the Allantic coast of the United States (esp. {Chilo mycterus geometricus}) having the power of distending its body with water or air, so as to resemble a chestnut bur; called also {ball …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • swellfish — /swel fish /, n., pl. (esp. collectively) swellfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) swellfishes. puffer (def. 2). [1800 10, Amer.; SWELL + FISH] * * * …   Universalium

  • swellfish — /ˈswɛlfɪʃ/ (say swelfish) noun (plural swellfish or swellfishes) → puffer (def. 3). {swell + fish1} Usage: For variation in the plural inflection, see note at fish1 …  

  • swellfish — dygioji pūsliažuvė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Arothron hispidus angl. spiny baloonfish; swellfish; white spotted blaasop; white spotted blowfish rus. колючий аротрон ryšiai: platesnis terminas –… …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • swellfish — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun : globefish * * * /swel fish /, n., pl. (esp. collectively) swellfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) swellfishes. puffer (def. 2). [1800 10, Amer.; SWELL + FISH] …   Useful english dictionary

  • swellfish — noun Date: 1807 puffer fish 1 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • swellfish — n. fish that inflates its body …   English contemporary dictionary

  • swellfish —    O opu hue …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

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