Remora

2 definitions found

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

  Remora \Rem"o*ra\ (r?m"?*r?), n. [L.: cf. F. r['e]mora.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Delay; obstacle; hindrance. [Obs.] --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of fishes belonging to


        {Echeneis}, {Remora}, and allied genera. Called also
        {sucking fish}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The anterior dorsal fin is converted into a large
           sucking disk, having two transverse rows of lamellae,
           situated on the top of the head. They adhere firmly to
           sharks and other large fishes and to vessels by this
           curious sucker, letting go at will. The pegador, or
           remora of sharks ({Echeneis naucrates}), and the
           swordfish remora ({Remora brachyptera}), are common
           American species.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Surg.) An instrument formerly in use, intended to retain
        parts in their places. --Dunglison.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  remora
       n : marine fishes with a flattened elongated body and a sucking
           disk on the head for attaching to large fish or moving
           objects [syn: {suckerfish}, {sucking fish}]