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Webster 1913 Edition
Stickleback
Stic′kle-backˊ
,Noun.
[OE. & Prov E. , and cf.
stickle
a prickle, spine, sting (AS. sticel
) + back
. See Stick
, Verb.
T.
Banstickle
.] (Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of small fishes of the genus
Gasterosteus
and allied genera. The back is armed with two or more sharp spines. They inhabit both salt and brackish water, and construct curious nests. Called also sticklebag
, sharpling
, and prickleback
.