First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
lamprey
noun lam·prey \ˈlam-prē, -ˌprā\
plural lampreys
Definition of LAMPREY
: any of a family (Petromyzontidae) of eel-shaped freshwater or anadromous jawless fishes that include those cyclostomes having well-developed eyes and a large disk-shaped suctorial mouth armed with horny teeth —called also lamprey eel
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Origin of LAMPREY
Middle English, from Anglo-French lampreie, from Medieval Latin lampreda
LAMPREY Defined for Kids
lamprey
noun lam·prey \ˈlam-prē\
plural lampreys
Definition of LAMPREY for Kids
: a water animal that looks like an eel but has a sucking mouth with no jaws
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