\Dol"phin\ (d[o^]l"f[i^]n), n. [F. dauphin dolphin,
dauphin, earlier spelt also doffin; cf. OF. dalphinal of the
dauphin; fr. L. delphinus, Gr. delfi`s a dolphin (in senses
1, 2, & 5), perh. properly, belly fish; cf. delfy`s womb,
Skr. garbha; perh. akin to E. calf. Cf. {Dauphin},
{Delphine}.]
1. (Zool.)
   (a) A cetacean of the genus {Delphinus} and allied genera
       (esp. {D. delphis}); the true dolphin.
   (b) The {Coryph[ae]na 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 {Coryph[ae]noid}.
Note: The dolphin of the ancients ({D. delphis}) is common in
      the Mediterranean and Atlantic, and attains a length of
      from six to eight feet.
2. [Gr. delfi`s] (Gr. Antiq.) A mass of iron or lead hung
   from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped on the deck
   of an enemy's vessel.
3. (Naut.)
   (a) A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage.
   (b) A spar or buoy held by an anchor and furnished with a
       ring to which ships may fasten their cables. --R. H.
       Dana.
   (c) A mooring post on a wharf or beach.
   (d) A permanent fender around a heavy boat just below the
       gunwale. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
4. (Gun.) In old ordnance, one of the handles above the
   trunnions by which the gun was lifted.
5. (Astron.) A small constellation between Aquila and
   Pegasus. See {Delphinus}, n., 2.
{Dolphin fly} (Zo["o]l.), the black, bean, or collier, Aphis
   ({Aphis fable}), destructive to beans.
{Dolphin striker} (Naut.), a short vertical spar under the
   bowsprit.