Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of marine 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.
   • A dangerous delicacy: The flesh of such a fish, considered a delicacy in some cultures, but highly dangerous because of a potent nerve poison in its ovaries and liver.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The diver carefully avoided the puffer resting on the coral reef.
  • In Japan, specially licensed chefs prepare fugu, which is made from puffer fish.
  • When threatened, the puffer inflates to several times its normal size.

Advanced Usage

• "Puffer fish": A common compound term for this animal. While "puffer" alone is correct, "puffer fish" is frequently used in general conversation.
  • Puffer fish are known for their unique defense mechanism.

Variants and Related Words

• Pufferfish (n): An alternative spelling for "puffer fish."
• Blowfish (n): Another common name for the same family of fish.
• Fugu (n): The Japanese term for puffer fish, specifically referring to it as a prepared food item.
• Tetraodontidae (n): The scientific family name for puffers.

Synonyms

• Globefish: A synonym emphasizing the fish's ability to inflate into a globe shape.
• Swellfish: Another synonym describing its capacity to swell up.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary and most common meaning of "puffer" in modern English is the inflatable fish. The historical meaning of "puffer" as "a person who praises or advertises something extravagantly" (e.g., a puffer of books) is now very rare and considered archaic. In contemporary usage, if this meaning is intended, words like "hype man," "promoter," or "flatterer" are typically used instead.

Noun

1. 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
2. delicacy that is highly dangerous because of a potent nerve poison in ovaries and liver