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Lumpfish

(Science: zoology) a large, thick, clumsy, marine fish (Cyclopterus lumpus) of Europe and America. The colour is usually translucent sea green, sometimes purplish. It has a dorsal row of spiny tubercles, and three rows on each side, but has no scales. The ventral fins unite and form a ventral sucker for adhesion to stones and seaweeds.

Synonym: lumpsucker, cock-paddle, sea owl.

Origin: From lump, on account of its bulkiness: cf. G. & D. Lump, f. Lompe.