blenny

[ blen-ee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural blen·nies.

any of several fishes of the family Blenniidae and related families, especially of the genus Blennius, having a long, tapering body and small pelvic fins inserted before the pectoral fins.

blenny

/ ˈblɛnɪ /

any blennioid fish of the family Blenniidae of coastal waters, esp of the genus Blennius , having a tapering scaleless body, a long dorsal fin, and long raylike pelvic fins
any of various related fishes

Origin of blenny¹

1745–55; < Latin blennius a kind of fish < Greek blénnos slime, mucus; so called from its slimy coating

Origin of blenny¹

C18: from Latin blennius , from Greek blennos slime; from the mucus that coats its body

The Large Blenny (B. gattorugine) inhabits deeper water, chiefly off the south-west coast, and reaches a length of a foot or more.

He describes how in the embryo of the Blenny there is a short, thick arch between the first gill-slit and the mouth.

A curious little blenny-fish swarms in the numerous creeks which intersect the mangrove topes.

It was a small fish—a familiar fish, too—which he had known in the pools of his native land by the name of blenny.

Seeing that the coast was clear, for Disco stood as motionless as a mangrove tree, blenny hopped upon the dry land.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse