/lam"pree/ , n. , pl. lampreys .
any eellike marine or freshwater fish of the order Petromyzoniformes, having a circular, suctorial mouth with horny teeth for boring into the flesh of other fishes to feed on their blood. Also called lamprey eel, lamper eel .
[ 1250-1300; ME lampreye lampreie (OF lamproie ) lampreda; r. OE lamprede lampreda ]