ˈjelly-fish
† 1. An oceanic fish of the genus Plagyodus or Alepisaurus, family Scopelidæ. Obs.
| 1707 W. Funnell Voy. Round World 8 The Jelly-fish was about fourteen Inches long..with a very sharp set of Teeth... That part of him which is without small spots, is a perfect green Jelly, whence he was called by us a Jelly-fish. |
2. a. The popular name of various acalephs, medusas, or sea-nettles, from their gelatinous structure.
| 1841 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 7) XXI. 1013 Acalephæ.—Sea-jellies... Jelly-Fish; Sea-Blubbers. 1861 J. R. Greene Man. Anim. Kingd., Cœlent. 127 The large ‘jelly-fishes’ which, during summer and autumn, occur so abundantly in our seas, are, with few exceptions, the reproductive zoöids of Aurelia, Cyanea, and Chrysaora. 1873 Mivart Elem. Anat. i. 9 More than 99 per cent of water enters into the total composition of a Jelly fish. |
b. fig. A person of ‘flabby’ character, or deficient in energy, steadfastness, or ‘backbone’.
| 1883 P. Robinson Sinners & Saints i. 11 Chicago is nearly terrific... Its astonishing resurrection from its ashes and its tremendous energy terrify jelly-fishes like myself. 1910 [see gabfest]. 1928 [see face v. 6]. 1966 C. Achebe Man of People viii. 88 Max's unfortunate..presentation of me as a kind of pitiable jellyfish. |
c. attrib., usually in fig. sense.
| 1889 Catholic News 16 Nov. 3/2 Language is at first in the Jelly-fish condition. 1891 Daily News 5 Nov. 5/4 We have..thousands of jellyfish sermons preached every year. |