dictionary definitions for "puffer"


From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  puffer
      n 1: delicacy that is highly dangerous because of a potent nerve
           poison in ovaries and liver [syn: blowfish, sea squab,
           puffer, pufferfish]
      2: any of numerous marine fishes whose elongated spiny body can
         inflate itself with water or air to form a globe; several
         species contain a potent nerve poison; closely related to
         spiny puffers [syn: puffer, pufferfish, blowfish,
         globefish]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Puffer \Puff"er\, n.
     1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant
        commendation.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold
        at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. --Bouvier.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.)
        (a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the
            species of Tetrodon and Diodon of the family
            Tetraodontidae; -- called also blower,
            puff-fish, swellfish, and globefish. They are
            highly poisonous due to the presence of glands
            containing a potent toxin, tetrodotoxin.
            Nevertheless they are eaten as a delicacy in Japan,
            being prepared by specially licensed chefs who remove
            the poison glands.
        (b) The common, or harbor, porpoise.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Dyeing) A kier.
        [1913 Webster]


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