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Definition of prickleback

prickleback

/ˈprɪk.əlˌbæk/
prick · le · back
Plural:pricklebacks
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prickleback Lexical Profile

prickleback Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American Any of various small, eel-like marine fishes of the family Stichaeidae, native primarily to the cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean and characterized by a long dorsal fin consisting entirely of sharp, spiny rays.

Example

"While exploring the rocky intertidal zone during low tide, the marine biology students discovered a monkeyface prickleback hiding beneath a thick mat of kelp."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for prickleback

• Rhymes for prickleback

• Nearby Words

pretzel
price
prickle poppy
prickleback
prickly pear cactus
primate
primogenitrix

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'prickle' and 'back', named for the long row of sharp, spiny rays that make up the dorsal fin along the fish's back.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Prickleback. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/prickleback
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