spiny lobster

American  

noun

spiny lobsters plural

1. any of several edible crustaceans of the family Palinuridae, differing from the true lobsters in having a spiny shell and lacking the large pincers.

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spiny lobster British  

noun

1. Also called: rock lobster.   crawfish.   langouste.  any of various large edible marine decapod crustaceans of the genus Palinurus and related genera, having a very tough spiny carapace

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• spiny lobsters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of spiny lobster

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spiny lobster

Juvenile Caribbean spiny lobster are finding shelter within the submerged roots before their journey to nearby reefs.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2022

While there are several types of lobster, such as the clawless spiny lobster and the blue European lobster, American lobsters are the most popular among consumers.

From New York Times ● Sep. 13, 2022

One of the key species making a comeback after decades of overharvesting: the California spiny lobster.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2021

In the Keys, the bag limit for spiny lobster is six per person, per boat, the Herald reported.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 28, 2021

Crayfish, krā′fish, Crawfish, kraw′fish, n. a large fresh-water crustacean in the long-tailed division of the order Decapoda: the small spiny lobster.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various