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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Diplodus rhomboides

Squirrel \Squir"rel\ (skw[~e]r"r[e^]l or skw[i^]r"-; 277), n. [OE. squirel, OF. esquirel, escurel, F. ['e]cureuil, LL. squirelus, squirolus, scuriolus, dim. of L. sciurus, Gr. si`oyros; skia` shade + o'yra` tail. Cf. Shine, v. i.]

  1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Sciurus and several allied genera of the family Sciurid[ae]. Squirrels generally have a bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species live in burrows.

    Note: Among the common North American squirrels are the gray squirrel ( Sciurus Carolinensis) and its black variety; the fox, or cat, squirrel ( Sciurus cinereus, or Sciurus niger) which is a large species, and variable in color, the southern variety being frequently black, while the northern and western varieties are usually gray or rusty brown; the red squirrel (see Chickaree); the striped, or chipping, squirrel (see Chipmunk); and the California gray squirrel ( Sciurus fossor). Several other species inhabit Mexico and Central America. The common European species ( Sciurus vulgaris) has a long tuft of hair on each ear. The so-called Australian squirrels are marsupials. See Petaurist, and Phalanger.

  2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder. Barking squirrel (Zo["o]l.), the prairie dog. Federation squirrel (Zo["o]l.), the striped gopher. See Gopher, 2. Flying squirrel (Zo["o]l.). See Flying squirrel, in the Vocabulary. Java squirrel. (Zo["o]l.). See Jelerang. Squirrel corn (Bot.), a North American herb ( Dicentra Canadensis) bearing little yellow tubers. Squirrel cup (Bot.), the blossom of the Hepatica triloba, a low perennial herb with cup-shaped flowers varying from purplish blue to pink or even white. It is one of the earliest flowers of spring. Squirrel fish. (Zo["o]l.)

    1. A sea bass ( Serranus fascicularis) of the Southern United States.

    2. The sailor's choice ( Diplodus rhomboides).

    3. The redmouth, or grunt.

    4. A market fish of Bermuda ( Holocentrum Ascensione). Squirrel grass (Bot.), a pestiferous grass ( Hordeum murinum) related to barley. In California the stiffly awned spikelets work into the wool of sheep, and into the throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even producing death. Squirrel hake (Zo["o]l.), a common American hake ( Phycis tenuis); -- called also white hake. Squirrel hawk (Zo["o]l.), any rough-legged hawk; especially, the California species Archibuteo ferrugineus. Squirrel monkey. (Zo["o]l.)

      1. Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South American monkeys of the genus Callithrix. They are noted for their graceful form and agility. See Teetee.

      2. A marmoset.

        Squirrel petaurus (Zo["o]l.), a flying phalanger of Australia. See Phalanger, Petaurist, and Flying phalanger under Flying.

        Squirrel shrew (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus Tupaia. They are allied to the shrews, but have a bushy tail, like that of a squirrel.

        Squirrel-tail grass (Bot.), a grass ( Hordeum jubatum) found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a dense spike beset with long awns.

Diplodus rhomboides

Pinfish \Pin"fish`\, n. [So called from their sharp dorsal spines.] (Zo["o]l.)

  1. The sailor's choice ( Diplodus rhomboides syn. Lagodon rhomboides).

  2. The salt-water bream ( Diplodus Holbrooki).

    Note: Both are excellent food fishes, common on the coast of the United States south of Cape Hatteras. The name is also applied to other allied species.

Diplodus rhomboides

Sailor \Sail"or\, n. One who follows the business of navigating ships or other vessels; one who understands the practical management of ships; one of the crew of a vessel; a mariner; a common seaman. Syn: Mariner; seaman; seafarer. Sailor's choice. (Zo["o]l.)

  1. An excellent marine food fish ( Diplodus rhomboides, syn. Lagodon rhomboides) of the Southern United States; -- called also porgy, squirrel fish, yellowtail, and salt-water bream.

  2. A species of grunt ( Orthopristis chrysopterus syn. Pomadasys chrysopterus), an excellent food fish common on the southern coasts of the United States; -- called also hogfish, and pigfish.

Diplodus rhomboides

Yellowtail \Yel"low*tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)

  1. Any one of several species of marine carangoid fishes of the genus Seriola; especially, the large California species ( Seriola dorsalis) which sometimes weighs thirty or forty pounds, and is highly esteemed as a food fish; -- called also cavasina, and white salmon.

  2. The mademoiselle, or silver perch.

  3. The menhaden.

  4. The runner, 12.

  5. A California rockfish ( Sebastodes flavidus).

  6. The sailor's choice ( Diplodus rhomboides).

    Note: Several other fishes are also locally called yellowtail.