mullet

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: mul=let

CIDE DICTIONARY

mullet, n. [OE. molet, mulet, F. mulet, fr. L. mullus.].

•  Any one of numerous fishes of the genus Mugil; -- called also gray mullets. They are found on the coasts of both continents, and are highly esteemed as food. Among the most valuable species are Mugil capito of Europe, and Mugil cephalus which occurs both on the European and American coasts.  [1913 Webster]
•  Any species of the genus Mullus, or family Mullidæ; called also red mullet, and surmullet, esp. the plain surmullet (Mullus barbatus), and the striped surmullet (Mullus surmulletus) of Southern Europe. The former is the mullet of the Romans. It is noted for the brilliancy of its colors. See Surmullet.  [1913 Webster]

French mullet. See Ladyfish (a).

mullet, n. [F. molette.].

 A star, usually five pointed and pierced; -- when used as a difference it indicates the third son.  [1913 Webster]

mullet, n. [Cf. F. molet a sort of pinchers.].

 Small pinchers for curling the hair.  B. Jonson.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

mullet, n. any fish of the family Mullidae (red mullet) or Mugilidae (grey mullet), usu. with a thick body and a large blunt-nosed head, commonly used as food.

Etymology

ME f. OF mulet dimin. of L mullus red mullet f. Gk mollos