Hypertext Webster Gateway: "lamprey"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Lamprey \Lam"prey\, n.; pl. {Lampreys}. [OE. lampreie, F.
lamproie, LL. lampreda, lampetra, from L. lambere to lick +
petra rock, stone. The lampreys are so called because they
attach themselves with their circular mouths to rocks and
stones, whence they are also called {rocksuckers}. See {Lap}
to drink, {Petrify}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An eel-like marsipobranch of the genus {Petromyzon}, and
allied genera. The lampreys have a round, sucking mouth,
without jaws, but set with numerous minute teeth, and one to
three larger teeth on the palate (see Illust. of
{Cyclostomi}). There are seven small branchial openings on
each side. [Written also {lamper eel}, {lamprel}, and
{lampron}.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
lamprey
n : primitive eellike freshwater or anadromous cyclostome having
round sucking mouth with a rasping tongue [syn: {lamprey
eel}, {lamper eel}]
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