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pufferfish

/ˈpʌfərˌfɪʃ/

Meanings
noun
Any species of fish of the family Tetraodontidae that have the ability to inflate themselves to a globe several times their normal size by swallowing water or air when threatened; puffer, blowfish, swellfish, balloonfish, globefish.

Examples :

"The diver carefully avoided the pufferfish, knowing it could inflate into a spiky ball if it felt threatened. "
fish animal nature biology ocean

Related Words

Illustration improperly

improperly adverb

/ɪmˈprɑːpərli/ /ɪmˈprɒpərli/

In an improper manner; not properly

"The student improperly filled out the test form, forgetting to write his name. "

Illustration swallowing

swallowing verb

/ˈswɑloʊɪŋ/ /ˈswɒləʊɪŋ/

To cause (food, drink etc.) to pass from the mouth into the stomach; to take into the stomach through the throat.

"The child had difficulty swallowing the large pill. "

Illustration themselves

themselves pronoun

/ðəmˈsɛlvz/

The reflexive case of they, the third-person plural personal pronoun. The group of people, animals or objects previously mentioned, as the object of a verb or following a preposition (also used for emphasis).

"They are going to try climbing Mount Everest themselves."

Illustration globefish

globefish noun

/ˈɡloʊbfɪʃ/

Any of many marine fish in the family Tetraodontidae, especially the puffer or sunfish, that can inflate itself to form a globe.

"The diver cautiously approached the globefish, knowing it would inflate into a spiky ball if threatened. "

Illustration carefully

carefully adverb

/ˈkɛːfli/ /ˈkɛɹfli/

Sorrowfully.

"He listened carefully to his mother's concerns, feeling sorrowful about her disappointment. "

Illustration threatened

threatened verb

/ˈθɹɛt.n̩d/

To make a threat against someone; to use threats.

"He threatened me with a knife."

Illustration preparing

preparing verb

/pɹɪˈpɛəɹɪŋ/ /pɹɪˈpɛɹɪŋ/

To make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble or equip.

"We prepared the spacecraft for takeoff."

Illustration neurotoxins

neurotoxins noun

/ˈnjʊəroʊˌtɒksɪnz/ /ˈnʊroʊˌtɒksɪnz/

A toxin that specifically acts upon neurons, their synapses, or the nervous system in its entirety.

"The pesticides used on crops can contain neurotoxins that harm the nervous systems of insects. "

Illustration blowfish

blowfish noun

/ˈbloʊfɪʃ/

Any species of fish of the family Tetraodontidae that have the ability to inflate themselves to a globe several times their normal size by swallowing water or air when threatened.

"While snorkeling in the coral reef, we saw a blowfish puff itself up like a spiky ball to scare away a larger fish. "

Illustration delicacy

delicacy noun

/ˈdɛlɪkəsi/

The quality of being delicate.

"The delicacy of the antique teacup meant we had to handle it with extra care. "

Illustration balloonfish

balloonfish noun

/bəˈluːnfɪʃ/

A fish of the genus Diodon or Tetraodon, capable of distending its body by taking air or water into its dilatable esophagus.

"While snorkeling in the coral reef, we saw a balloonfish puff itself up into a spiky ball to scare away a larger fish. "

Illustration specializes

specializes verb

/ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzɪz/ /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzɪz/

To make distinct or separate, particularly:

"The chef specializes in preparing vegan dishes, making them distinct from the other menu items. "