Noun: pufferfish 'pú-fu(r),fish
- 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
"The pufferfish puffed up to twice its normal size when threatened";
- puffer, blowfish, globefish
- Delicacy that is highly dangerous because of a potent nerve poison in ovaries and liver
"The chef warned diners about the risks associated with eating pufferfish";
- blowfish, sea squab, puffer
Derived forms: pufferfishes
Type of: plectognath, plectognath fish, saltwater fish
Part of: family Tetraodontidae, Tetraodontidae
Encyclopedia: Pufferfish