blenny

/ˈblɛni/

blenny

English Noun

Definition

A true blenny, any of various marine fishes from the suborder Blennioidei or order Blenniiformes that are generally small and elongated which dwell on the sea floor, including scaled and scaleless forms and dramatically divergent appearance, in several families.

Etymology

From Latin blennius, blendius, from Ancient Greek βλεννός (blennós, “mucus, slime”) (whence Modern Greek βλέννα (vlénna)), because of its slimy coating. From Proto-Indo-European *mel- (“soft”).