1.
[syn: puffer, pufferfish, blowfish, globefish]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Globefish \Globe"fish`\, n. (Zool.)
A plectognath fish of the genera Diodon, Tetrodon, and
allied genera. The globefishes can suck in water or air and
distend the body to a more or less globular form. Called also
porcupine fish, and sea hedgehog. See Diodon.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Puffer \Puff"er\, n.
1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant
commendation.
[1913 Webster]
2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold
at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. --Bouvier.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.)
(a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the
species of Tetrodon and Diodon of the family
Tetraodontidae; -- called also blower,
puff-fish, swellfish, and globefish. They are
highly poisonous due to the presence of glands
containing a potent toxin, tetrodotoxin.
Nevertheless they are eaten as a delicacy in Japan,
being prepared by specially licensed chefs who remove
the poison glands.
(b) The common, or harbor, porpoise.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Dyeing) A kier.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
globefish
n 1: any of numerous marine fishes whose elongated spiny body
can inflate itself with water or air to form a globe;
several species contain a potent nerve poison; closely
related to spiny puffers [syn: puffer, pufferfish,
blowfish, globefish]