'Swellfish' definitions:
Definition of 'Swellfish'
From: GCIDE
- Swellfish \Swell"fish`\, n. (Zool.) Any plectognath fish that dilates itself, as the bur fish, puffer, or diodon. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'swellfish'
From: GCIDE
- Puffer \Puff"er\, n.
- 1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant commendation. [1913 Webster]
- 2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. --Bouvier. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Zool.) (a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the species of Tetrodon and Diodon of the family Tetraodontidae; -- called also blower, puff-fish, swellfish, and globefish. They are highly poisonous due to the presence of glands containing a potent toxin, tetrodotoxin. Nevertheless they are eaten as a delicacy in Japan, being prepared by specially licensed chefs who remove the poison glands. (b) The common, or harbor, porpoise. [1913 Webster]
- 4. (Dyeing) A kier. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'swellfish'
From: GCIDE
- Bur fish \Bur" fish`\ (Zool.) A spinose, plectognath fish of the Allantic coast of the United States (esp. Chilo mycterus geometricus) having the power of distending its body with water or air, so as to resemble a chestnut bur; -- called also ball fish, {balloon fish}, and swellfish. [1913 Webster]