lamprey eel

lamprey eel
Lamprey Lam"prey (l[a^]m"pr[y^]), n.; pl. {Lampreys} (l[a^]m"pr[i^]z). [OE. lampreie, F. lamproie, LL. lampreda, lampetra, from L. lambere to lick + petra rock, stone. The lampreys are so called because they attach themselves with their circular mouths to rocks and stones, whence they are also called {rocksuckers}. See {Lap} to drink, {Petrify}.] (Zo["o]l.) An eel-like marsipobranch of the genus {Petromyzon}, and allied genera; called also {lamprey eel} and {lamper eel}. The lampreys have a round, sucking mouth, without jaws, but set with numerous minute teeth, and one to three larger teeth on the palate (see Illust. of {Cyclostomi}). There are seven small branchial openings on each side. [Written also {lamprel}, and {lampron}.] [1913 Webster]

Note: The common or sea lamprey of America and Europe ({Petromyzon marinus}), which in spring ascends rivers to spawn, is considered excellent food by many, and is sold as a market fish in some localities. The smaller river lampreys mostly belong to the genus {Ammoc[oe]les}, or {Lampetra}, as {Ammoc[oe]les fluviatilis}, of Europe, and {Ammoc[oe]les [ae]pypterus} of America. All lampreys attach themselves to other fishes, as parasites, by means of the suckerlike mouth. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • lamprey eel — noun primitive eellike freshwater or anadromous cyclostome having round sucking mouth with a rasping tongue • Syn: ↑lamprey, ↑lamper eel • Hypernyms: ↑jawless vertebrate, ↑jawless fish, ↑agnathan • Hyponyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • lamprey eel — noun see lamprey …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Lamprey — Lam prey (l[a^]m pr[y^]), n.; pl. {Lampreys} (l[a^]m pr[i^]z). [OE. lampreie, F. lamproie, LL. lampreda, lampetra, from L. lambere to lick + petra rock, stone. The lampreys are so called because they attach themselves with their circular mouths… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lamprey — Taxobox name = Lamprey image width = 250px image caption = Sea lamprey from Sweden regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Cephalaspidomorphi unranked ordo = Hyperoartia ordo = Petromyzontiformes familia = Petromyzontidae subdivision ranks …   Wikipedia

  • lamprey — /lam pree/, n., pl. lampreys. any eellike marine or freshwater fish of the order Petromyzoniformes, having a circular, suctorial mouth with horny teeth for boring into the flesh of other fishes to feed on their blood. Also called lamprey eel,… …   Universalium

  • eel — 1) a general tem for any fish with an elongate body. Strictly, a member of the Order Anguilliformes with over 790 species world wide, mostly in shallow marine waters. Most terms mentioning eels in English are referring to Anguilla anguilla, the… …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • lamprey — noun (plural lampreys) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French lampreie, from Medieval Latin lampreda Date: 14th century any of a family (Petromyzontidae) of eel shaped freshwater or anadromous jawless fishes that include those cyclostomes… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • eel´like´ — eel «eel», noun. 1. a long, slippery fish shaped like a snake, with continuous dorsal, caudal, and anal fins and lacking ventral fins. Eels live in fresh water or salt water. 2. any one of various similar fishes, such as the electric eel and… …   Useful english dictionary

  • eel — [ēl] n. pl. eels or eel [ME ele < OE æl, akin to Ger aal] 1. any of an order (Anguilliformes) of bony fishes with long, slippery, snakelike bodies and no pelvic fins 2. any of various other snakelike fishes, including the electric eel and… …   English World dictionary

  • lamprey — ► NOUN (pl. lampreys) ▪ an eel like jawless fish that has a sucker mouth with horny teeth and a rasping tongue. ORIGIN Latin lampreda, probably from lambere to lick + petra stone (because the lamprey attaches itself to stones by its mouth) …   English terms dictionary

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