thornback

American  

[thawrn-bak] / ˈθɔrnˌbæk /

noun

1. a skate, Raja clavata, of European waters, having short spines on the back and tail.

2. a California ray, Platyrhinoidis triseriatus, belonging to the guitarfish group.

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thornback British  

/ ˈθɔːnˌbæk /

noun

1. a European ray, Raja clavata, having a row of spines along the back and tail

2. a similar fish, Platyrhinoidis triseriata, of the Pacific Ocean

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Etymology

Origin of thornback

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at thorn, back ¹

Example Sentences

These include perch; bream; the john-dory; carp; barbel; salmon; pike; trout; sturgeon; the shark; thornback; lamprey; turbot; plaice; sole; flounder; cod; haddock; &c.

From How to See the British Museum in Four Visits by Jerrold, W. Blanchard

Turbot, salmon, salmon trout, Berwick and fresh water trout, red and grey mullet, Johndories, skate, thornback, maids, soles, flounders, eels, lobsters, crawfish, prawns, and shrimps.

From The Lady's Own Cookery Book, and New Dinner-Table Directory; In Which will Be Found a Large Collection of Original Receipts. 3rd ed. by Bury, Charlotte Campbell, Lady

FISH.—Barbel, brill, carp, cod, crabs, crayfish, dace, eels, flounders, haddocks, herrings, lampreys, lobsters, mussels, oysters, perch, pike, plaice, prawns, shrimps, skate, smelts, soles, sprats, sturgeon, tench, thornback, turbot, whitings.

From The Book of Household Management by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary)

The boy gave a curious half-sad smile, without turning his eyes from the thornback, and said nothing.

From Weighed and Wanting by MacDonald, George

The thornback is the same as in France.

From History of Louisisana Or of the Western Parts of Virginia and Carolina: Containing by Le Page du Pratz