sculpin

[ skuhl-pin ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural (especially collectively) scul·pin, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) scul·pins.

any small, freshwater fish of the genus Cottus, of the family Cottidae, having a large head with one or more spines on each side; bullhead.
any of numerous marine fishes of the same family.
(in California) a common scorpionfish, Scorpaena guttata.

sculpin

/ ˈskʌlpɪn /

Origin of sculpin¹

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain

Origin of sculpin¹

C17: of unknown origin

We put out a bait that anybody with sense would say couldn't catch nothin' but sculpin, and, by mighty, we hooked a halibut!

Ye see the miser'ble sculpin thought I'd never stop to open the goods, an' it was a chance I did, mind ye!

Graves, who was fond of salt water fishing, knew what a sculpin was, and appreciated the comparison.

When we come ashore we had eighteen dogfish, four sculpin and a skate, and Stumpton was the happiest loon in Ostable County.

The other would-be gunners and fishermen were satisfied to slam shot after sandpeeps, or hook a stray sculpin or a hake.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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