n.
Pronunciation: ' sti-k ə l- ˌ bak
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -backs also -back
Etymology: Middle English stykylbak, from Old English sticel goad + Middle English bak back; akin to Old English stician to stick
Date: 15th century
: any of a family (Gasterosteidae) of small scaleless bony fishes having two or more free spines in front of the dorsal fin and including marine, anadromous, and freshwater forms