Globefish

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Globefish \Globe"fish`\, n. (Zool.)
     A plectognath fish of the genera {Diodon}, {Tetrodon}, and
     allied genera. The globefishes can suck in water or air and
     distend the body to a more or less globular form. Called also
     {porcupine fish}, and {sea hedgehog}. See {Diodon}.
     [1913 Webster]



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  globefish
       n : any of numerous marine fishes whose elongated spiny body can
           inflate itself with water or air to form a globe; several
           species contain a potent nerve poison; closely related to
           spiny puffers [syn: {puffer}, {blowfish}]
       [also: {globefishes} (pl)]