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father-lasher

noun
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Definition of father-lasher

: either of two small darkly mottled sculpins (Cottus bubalis and C. scorpius) found chiefly along the coasts of northwestern Europe and the British Isles

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History and Etymology for father-lasher

so called from the fact that the male guards the eggs and that it defends itself by lashing out with its tail and spines

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“Father-lasher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/father-lasher. Accessed 16 Feb. 2020.

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