<p><strong>noun</strong></p><ul><li>Any of the small, pugnacious, spiny-backed fishes of the family Gasterosteidae, inhabiting northern fresh waters and sea inlets, the male of which builds and guards the nest.</li><li>A test given to determine if students are sufficiently prepared to begin a new course of study.</li><li>A test taken for practice.</li></ul><p><strong>End of Response</strong></p>