Stickleback

Origin

Old English and dialect stickle a prickle, spine, sting (Anglo-Saxon sticel) + back. See stick (transitive verb) and compare banstickle.

Full definition of stickleback

Noun

1. Any one of numerous species of small fishes of the family Gasterosteidae. The back is armed with two or more sharp spines. They inhabit both salt and brackish water, and construct curious nests.

Synonyms

• sticklebag
• sharpling

• prickleback