| 释义 |
ˈdevil-fish
A name popularly given to various large and formidable fishes or other marine animals; especially a. In Great Britain, a large pediculate fish (Lophius piscatorius) also called angler (q.v.), frog-fish, sea-devil, toad-fish. b. In U.S., a gigantic species of eagle-ray, Ceratoptera vampyrus, having expanded sides gradually passing into flappers or pectoral fins, the expanse of which is sometimes 20 feet. Less commonly, c. The Californian grey whale. d. The piranha of Uruguay. e. The octopus, cuttle-fish, or other cephalopod.
1814Sporting Mag. XLIV. 94 That species, called by Dr. Goldsmith the Devil Fish. 1839T. Beale Nat. Hist. Sperm Whale 351 Enormous sting-rays, or ‘devil fish’..from five to six feet across. 1860Merc. Marine Mag. VII. 213 They [‘California Grey’ Whale] have a variety of names among whalemen, as..‘Hard-head’, ‘Devil-fish’. 1861Hulme tr. Moquin-Tandon ii. iv. i. 214 The Piranha or Devil-fish discovered by M. de Castelnau in Uruguay..When any object is thrown into the water inhabited by the Piranhas, these fish immediately attack it. 1863Russell Diary North & South I. 208, I heard much of the mighty devil-fish..The fish..possesses formidable antennæ-like horns, and a pair of huge fins, or flappers, one of which rises above the water as the creature moves below the surface. 1867Chronicle 5 Oct. 669 The Devil Fish..This giant of the Cephaloptera is simply a monstrous Ray; and though Sea-Devil and Vampire are assigned to it as trivial names, it..is in no way formidable save from its enormous strength and bulk. 1883G. L. Faber Fisheries Adriatic 185 Myliobalis aquila L...Devil fish, Sea-Devil, Toad-fish. 1885C. F. Holder Marvels Anim. Life 162 [The squid] was found..to fully justify its popular name of devil fish. 1889Catholic News 15 June 5/5 The octopus, popularly known as ‘the devil fish’. |