† 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, and about 2 Inches deep; 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. The popular name of various acalephs, medusas, or sea-nettles, from their gelatinous structure.
1841. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 7), XXI. 1013. Acalepbæ.—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 entering into the total composition of a jelly-fish.
b. fig. A person of ‘flabby’ character, or deficient in energy, steadfastness or ‘backbone.’
1883. Ph. S. Robinson, Sinners & Saints, i. 11. Chicago is nearly terrific…. Its astonishing resurrection from its ashes and its tremendous energy terrify jelly-fishes like myself.
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 hundreds of jellyfish clergymen and thousands of jellyfish sermons preached every year.
