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blenny Definition

blenny (blen′ē)

noun pl. blennies -·nies or blenny -·ny

any of various small marine percoid fishes (esp. family Blenniidae) with a long, many-rayed dorsal fin and a tapering body covered with slime

Etymology: L blennius < Gr blennos < blenna, slime, mucus

Related Forms:

  • blennioid blen′·ni·oid′ (-ē o̵id′) adjective
blenny Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • small: This small blenny is found on some Cornish shores.
  • red: KNOWN HAUNTS Shallow seaweed areas, holes and crevices in rocky reefs, wrecks; the red blenny appears to prefer more exposed coasts.
  • viviparous: The 2 pictures below show the Viviparous blenny, so called because the female gives birth to live young.
  • tiny: A tiny tompot blenny, undaunted by our stature, stands his ground.

Noun used with modifier

  • tompot: A tompot blenny popped its head out of an exhaust port.