\Wee"ver\, n. [Probably from F. vive, OF. vivre, a kind
of fish, L. vipera viper. Cf. {Viper}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of edible marine fishes belonging
to the genus {Trachinus}, of the family {Trachinid[ae]}. They
have a broad spinose head, with the eyes looking upward. The
long dorsal fin is supported by numerous strong, sharp spines
which cause painful wounds.
Note: The two British species are the great, or greater,
      weever ({Trachinus draco}), which becomes a foot long
      (called also {gowdie}, {sea cat}, {stingbull}, and
      {weaverfish}), and the lesser weever ({T. vipera}),
      about half as large (called also {otter pike}, and
      {stingfish}).