lamprey
nounUK /ˈlæm.pri/
US /ˈlæm.pri/
A lamprey is a long, slippery fish with no jaw that sticks to other fish and drinks their blood.
The lamprey attached itself to the side of the trout with its round mouth.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Any of various primitive jawless fishes of the order Petromyzontiformes, having a funnel-shaped sucking mouth.
Biologists studied the lamprey's unusual cartilage skeleton.
3. A person or thing that clings to or exploits others.
He was called a lamprey for living off his wealthy relatives.
4. A type of medieval military engine used to grab and pull down walls.
The castle defenders feared the lamprey that could tear at the battlements.