Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Barracuda?

\Bar`ra*cu"da\, Barracouata \Bar`ra*cou"ata\, n. 1. (Zo["o]l.) A voracious pikelike, marine fish, of the genus {Sphyr[ae]na}, sometimes used as food. Note: That of Europe and our Atlantic coast is {Sphyr[ae]na spet} (or {S. vulgaris}); a southern species is {S. picuda}; the Californian is {S. argentea}. 2. (Zo["o]l.) A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia and New Zealand ({Thyrsites atun}).
\Bar`ra*cu"da\, n. [Native name.] Any of several voracious pikelike marine fishes allied to the gray mullets, constituting the genus {Sphyr[ae]na} and family {Sphyr[ae]nid[ae]}. The great barracuda ({S. barracuda}) of the West Indies, Florida, etc., is often six feet or more long, and as dangerous as a shark. In Cuba its flesh is reputed to be poisonous. {S. Argentea} of the Pacific coast and {S. sphyr[ae]na} of Europe are smaller species, and are used as food.