John Dory

[ dawr-ee, dohr-ee ]

noun,plural John Dories.
  1. any fish of the family Zeidae, especially Zeus faber, of European seas, having a vertically compressed body and long spines in the dorsal fin.

Origin of John Dory

1
1600–10; see dory2; jocular formation

Words Nearby John Dory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use John Dory in a sentence

  • John Dory pulled at his cigar appreciatively, sniffed its flavour for a moment, and then leaned forward in his chair.

    The Double Four | E. Phillips Oppenheim
  • How they gobbled up the hors d'œuvres and how golden the John Dory was; the flanks of the fish shone like an old violin.

    A Bed of Roses | W. L. George
  • John Dory was accordingly admitted into the room which was so jealously guarded.

    Peter Ruff and the Double Four | E. Phillips Oppenheim
  • Down in the street below, John Dory, who had tracked his wife to the building, was walking away with face as black as night.

    Peter Ruff and the Double Four | E. Phillips Oppenheim
  • John Dory muttered something between his lips, and turned on his heel.

    Peter Ruff and the Double Four | E. Phillips Oppenheim

British Dictionary definitions for John Dory

John Dory

/ (ˈdɔːrɪ) /


noun
  1. a European dory (the fish), Zeus faber, having a deep compressed body, spiny dorsal fins, and massive mobile jaws

  2. Australian a related fish, Zeus australis, which is a valued food fish of Australia

Origin of John Dory

1
C18: from proper name John + dory 1; on the model of Doe

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