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weever

 - 3 dictionary results

wee⋅ver

[wee-ver]
–noun
1. either of two small, European, marine fishes of the genus Trachinus, T. draco (greater weever) or T. vipera (lesser weever), having highly poisonous dorsal spines.
2. any fish of the same family, Trachinidae.

Origin:
1615–25; perh. continuing ME *wever, OE wifer arrow (c. ON vifr sword); modern meaning by assoc. with obs. wiver viper; see wyvern
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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wee·ver   (wē'vər)   
n.  Any of several marine fishes of the family Trachinidae, having venomous spines on the gill cover and first dorsal fin.

[Old North French wivre, serpent, weever; see wyvern.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

weever

any of four species of small marine fishes of the family Trachinidae (order Perciformes). Weevers are long-bodied fishes that habitually bury themselves in the sand. They have large, upwardly slanted mouths and eyes near the top of the head. There is a sharp spine on each gill cover; these spines, like those of the first dorsal fin, are associated with venom glands and can produce very painful wounds.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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