dragonet
(ˈdrægənɪt)
Also 6 -ette.
[a. F. dragonet little dragon, f. dragon: see -et1.]
1. A small or young dragon.
| 13.. K. Alis. 602 That signifieth the dragonet. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. xii. 10 Some hidden nest Of many dragonettes, his fruitfull seede. a 1797 W. Mason Ep. to Shebbeare (R.), Each little dragonet, with brazen grin, Gapes for the precious prize and gulps it in. 1821 Lamb Elia Ser. i. Witches, From the womb of those crushed errors young dragonets would creep. |
2. A fish of the genus Callionymus, esp. C. dracunculus.
| 1769 Pennant Zool. III. 130 Dragonet, a name we have taken the liberty of forming, from the diminutive Dracunculus, a title given it by Rondeletius, and other authors. 1838 Johnston in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club I. No. 6. 172 Callionymus dracunculus, Linn. Sordid Dragonet, Penn. |
3. A South American lizard, Crocodilurus.