Lam"prey (?), n.; pl.
Lampreys (#). [OE. lampreie, F.
lamproie, LL. lampreda, lampetra, from L.
lambere to lick + petra rock, stone. The lampreys are
so called because they attach themselves with their circular mouths
to rocks and stones, whence they are also called rocksuckers.
See Lap to drink, Petrify.] (Zoöl.) An
eel-like marsipobranch of the genus Petromyzon, and allied
genera. The lampreys have a round, sucking mouth, without jaws, but
set with numerous minute teeth, and one to three larger teeth on the
palate (see Illust. of Cyclostomi). There are seven
small branchial openings on each side. [Written also lamper
eel, lamprel, and lampron.]
☞ The common or sea lamprey of America and Europe
(Petromyzon marinus), which in spring ascends rivers to spawn,
is considered excellent food by many, and is sold as a market fish in
some localities. The smaller river lampreys mostly belong to the
genus Ammocœles, or Lampetra, as A.
fluviatilis, of Europe, and A. æpypterus of America.
All lampreys attach themselves to other fishes, as parasites, by
means of the suckerlike mouth.