Dolphin

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A cetacean of the genus Delphinus and allied genera (esp. D. delphis); the true dolphin.

2. The Coryphæna hippuris, a fish of about five feet in length, celebrated for its surprising changes of color when dying. It is the fish commonly known as the dolphin. See Coryphænoid.

3. A mass of iron or lead hung from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped on the deck of an enemy's vessel.

4. A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage.

5. A spar or buoy held by an anchor and furnished with a ring to which ships may fasten their cables. R. H. Dana.

6. A mooring post on a wharf or beach.

7. A permanent fender around a heavy boat just below the gunwale. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

8. In old ordnance, one of the handles above the trunnions by which the gun was lifted.

9. A small constellation between Aquila and Pegasus. See Delphinus, n.,

10. Dolphin fly (Zoöl.), the black, bean, or collier, Aphis (Aphis fable), destructive to beans. -- Dolphin striker (Naut.), a short vertical spar under the bowsprit.