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Webster 1913 Edition

Mullet

Mul′let

,
Noun.
[OE.
molet
,
mulet
, F.
mulet
, fr. L.
mullus
.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous fishes of the genus Mugil; – called also
gray mullets
. They are found on the coasts of both continents, and are highly esteemed as food. Among the most valuable species are
Mugil capito
of Europe, and
Mugil cephalus
which occurs both on the European and American coasts.
2.
(Zool.)
Any species of the genus
Mullus
, or family
Mullidae
; called also
red mullet
, and
surmullet
, esp. the plain surmullet (
Mullus barbatus
), and the striped surmullet (
Mullus surmulletus
) of Southern Europe. The former is the mullet of the Romans. It is noted for the brilliancy of its colors. See
Surmullet
.
French mullet
.
See
Ladyfish
(a)
.

Mul′let

,
Noun.
[F.
molette
.]
(Her.)
A star, usually five pointed and pierced; – when used as a difference it indicates the third son.

Mul′let

,
Noun.
[Cf. F.
molet
a sort of pinchers.]
Small pinchers for curling the hair.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.

Webster 1828 Edition

Mullet

MUL'LET

,
Noun.
[L. mullus.] A fish of the genus Mugil. The lips are membranaceous; the inferior one carinated inwards; it has no teeth, and the body is of a whitish color. This fish frequents the shore and roots in the sand like a hog. It is an excellent fish for the table.

Definition 2024

mullet

mullet

English

Noun

mullet ‎(plural mullets or mullet)

  1. A fish of the family Mullidae (order Syngnathiformes), especially the genus Mullus (the red mullets or goatfish).
  2. (chiefly US) A fish of the family Mugilidae (order Mugiliformes) (the grey mullets).
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

Or mullethead, possibly derived from the fish (see Etymology 1) or from mull (meaning to stupefy) though neither is certain.[1]

Noun

mullet ‎(plural mullets)

  1. A fool

Etymology 3

Apparently coined (and popularized) by hip hop group the Beastie Boys.

Noun

mullet ‎(plural mullets)

  1. A hairstyle where the hair is kept short on the top and sides and long at the back.
    • 1994, Beastie Boys "Mullet Head"
      – Mullet head, don't touch the back
      – Cut the sides, don't touch the back
    • 2008, Danielle Corsetto, Girls With Slingshots 406
      – Maybe it's a curly fro.
      – Maybe every day is bad hair day!
      – Maybe it's a mullet!
  2. (slang) A person who mindlessly follows a fad, a trend, or a leader.
Usage notes

The hairstyle sense is particularly associated with the working class or even bad taste.

Derived terms
Synonyms
  • hockey hair
Translations

Etymology 4

From Old French molette ‎(“rowel”)

Noun

mullet ‎(plural mullets)

  1. (heraldry) A star with straight edges and usually with five or six points.
Coordinate terms

References

  1. ↑ http://www.yourdictionary.com/library/mullet.html

Portuguese

Noun

mullet m (plural mullets)

  1. mullet (men’s hairstyle that is long in the back and short in the front)

Etymology

Mullet catch

Wikispecies From Old French mulet (now ‘grey mullet’), from Latin mullus ‎(“red mullet”), from Ancient Greek μύλλος ‎(múllos).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmʌlɪt/, /ˈmʌlət/
  • Rhymes: -ʌlɪt
  • Rhymes: -ʌlət

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