stickleback

[ stik-uhl-bak ]

noun

1. any of the small, pugnacious, spiny-backed fishes of the family Gasterosteidae, inhabiting northern fresh waters and sea inlets, the male of which builds and guards the nest.

stickleback

/ ˈstɪkəlˌbæk /

noun

1. any small teleost fish of the family Gasterosteidae, such as Gasterosteus aculeatus ( three-spined stickleback ) of rivers and coastal regions and G. pungitius ( ten-spined stickleback ) confined to rivers. They have a series of spines along the back and occur in cold and temperate northern regions

Word History and Origins

Origin of stickleback¹

1400–50; late Middle English stykylbak, equivalent to Old English sticol scaly + bæc back ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stickleback¹

C15: from Old English stickel prick, sting + back ¹

Example Sentences

Gudgeon eats stickleback, jack-pike eats gudgeon and grows fat, till at last the sturgeon in his armour eats him.

From Project Gutenberg

"Canova was by no means equal to Stickleback," said Mr Bristles magisterially.

From Project Gutenberg

When our other friends leave me, Stickleback, I hope you will stay for half an hour.

From Project Gutenberg

The rest of the party soon retired; and Bristles and Stickleback began their confidential conclave.

From Project Gutenberg

The Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), too, has undoubtedly come to us from the north.

From Project Gutenberg