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mullet1
/mul"it/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) mullet, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) mullets.1. any of several marine or freshwater, usually gray fishes of the family Mugilidae, having a nearly cylindrical body.2. a goatfish.3. a sucker, esp. of the genus Moxostoma.[1400-50; late ME mulet < MF < L mullus red mullet; see -ET]mullet2/mul"it/, n. Heraldry.a starlike charge having five points unless a greater number is specified, used esp. as the cadency mark of a third son.
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Any of fewer than 100 species (family Mugilidae) of abundant, commercially valuable schooling fishes found in brackish or fresh waters throughout tropical and temperate regions.Mullets frequent shallow, inshore areas, searching the sand or mud for microscopic plants and small animals. They are silvery and 1–3 ft (30–90 cm) long, with large scales, a short snout, a cigar-shaped body, a forked tail, and two distinct dorsal fins, the first containing four stiff spines. The common, or striped, mullet (Mugil cephalus), cultivated in some areas, is a well-known species found worldwide.* * *
▪ fishany of the abundant, commercially valuable schooling fishes of the family Mugilidae (order Perciformes). Mullets number fewer than 100 species and are found throughout tropical and temperate regions.They generally inhabit salt water or brackish water and frequent shallow, inshore areas, commonly grubbing about in the sand or mud for microscopic plants, small animals, and other food. They are silvery fishes 30–90 cm (1–3 feet) long, with large scales; relatively stocky, cigar-shaped bodies; forked tails; and two distinct dorsal fins, the first containing four stiff spines. Many have strong, gizzard-like stomachs and long intestines capable of handling a largely vegetarian diet.The common, or striped, mullet (Mugil cephalus), cultivated in some areas because of its rapid growth rate, is a well-known species found worldwide. The red surmullet, also called red mullet, is an unrelated species of the goatfish family.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
