lamprey
|lam-prey|
B2
/ˈlæmpri/
parasitic fish
Etymology
Etymology Information
'lamprey' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'lampreie', where 'lampetra' meant 'stone licker'.
Historical Evolution
'lampreie' transformed into the Middle English word 'lamprey', and eventually became the modern English word 'lamprey'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'stone licker', referring to its habit of attaching to stones, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a parasitic fish.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a jawless fish with a funnel-like sucking mouth, often parasitic, attaching to other fish to feed on their blood.
The lamprey attached itself to the side of the trout.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42