quillback

noun

quill·​back ˈkwil-ˌbak How to pronounce quillback (audio)
plural quillback or quillbacks
: any of several suckers
especially : a small fish (Carpiodes cyprinus) of central and eastern North America with a much elongated first ray of the dorsal fin

Illustration of quillback

Illustration of quillback

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quillback was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near quillback

Cite this Entry

“Quillback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quillback. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

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