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spiny dogfish

American  

noun

  1. a shark of the dogfish genus Squalus, having a spine in front of each of the two dorsal fins, especially S. acanthias, which inhabits Atlantic coastal waters.


Etymology

Origin of spiny dogfish

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the Atlantic coastline, shark species like Atlantic blacktip, spinner, Atlantic sharpnose, lemon sharks, smooth dogfish, spiny dogfish, sand tiger and blacktip reef sharks are frequently seen near shores.

From Fox News • Aug. 26, 2021

Lowry said the spiny dogfish is known to live along the Pacific coast, and was recently listed as an endangered species.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 29, 2017

The Pacific spiny dogfish can live 70 years and does not reach sexual maturity until age 40.

From Nature • Feb. 8, 2017

The restriction applies to all shark species except spiny dogfish.

From Washington Times • Jul. 26, 2016

Clinton says this new species, like the Kermadec spiny dogfish he recently described, is confined to the northern part of the Kermadec Ridge.

From Scientific American • Aug. 13, 2012

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