Main Entry: stick·le·back

Pronunciation: \ˈsti-kəl-ˌbak\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural stick·le·backs also stick·le·back

Etymology: Middle English stykylbak, from Old English sticel goad + Middle English bak back; akin to Old English stician to stick

Date: 15th century

: any of a family (Gasterosteidae) of small scaleless bony fishes having two or more free spines in front of the dorsal fin and including marine, anadromous, and freshwater forms