blenny

[blen-ee]

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.

Origin of blenny

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for blenny

Historical Examples of blenny

The Blenny could be seen, though she had ceased firing, gliding on towards them.
The Three Midshipmen
W.H.G. Kingston
Hitherto the crew of the Blenny were not aware that their powder was exhausted.
The Three Midshipmen
W.H.G. Kingston
The fact is, Hemming has got command of the Blenny, and I applied and got appointed to her.
The Three Midshipmen
W.H.G. Kingston
“She is the Blenny, there is no doubt about it,” cried Jack.
The Three Midshipmen
W.H.G. Kingston
Rouse up, Blenny dear, and tell me about these notes of invitation for our dinner-party.
The Dogs' Dinner Party
Unknown

British Dictionary definitions for blenny

blenny

noun plural -nies

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

Word Origin for blenny

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for blenny

1774, from Latin blennius (in Pliny), from Greek blennos, from blenna "slime, mucus," from PIE *mled-sno-, from root *mel- "soft." The fish so called from the coating on its scales.