Dictionary
1fish
noun, often attributive \ˈfish\
: a cold-blooded animal that lives in water, breathes with gills, and usually has fins and scales
: the meat of a fish eaten as food
plural fish or fish·es
Full Definition of FISH
1
a : an aquatic animal —usually used in combination <starfish> <cuttlefish> b : any of numerous cold-blooded strictly aquatic craniate vertebrates that include the bony fishes and usually the cartilaginous and jawless fishes and that have typically an elongated somewhat spindle-shaped body terminating in a broad caudal fin, limbs in the form of fins when present at all, and a 2-chambered heart by which blood is sent through thoracic gills to be oxygenated
2
: the flesh of fish used as food
3
4
: something that resembles a fish: as a plural capitalized : pisces 1; also : pisces 2a b : torpedo 2b
— fish·less \ˈfish-ləs\ adjective
— fish·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— fish out of water
: a person who is in an unnatural or uncomfortable sphere or situation
— fish to fry
: concerns or interests to pursue —usually used with other
— neither fish nor fowl
: one that does not belong to a particular class or category
See fish defined for English-language learners
See fish defined for kids
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Illustration of FISH
Origin of FISH
Middle English, from Old English fisc; akin to Old High German fisc fish, Latin piscis
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to FISH
2fish
verb
: to catch or try to catch fish
: to catch or try to catch fish in (a river, stream, etc.)
: to search for something by feeling : to use your hand to try to find something
Full Definition of FISH
intransitive verb
1
: to attempt to catch fish
2
: to seek something by roundabout means <fishing for a compliment>
3
a : to search for something underwater <fish for pearls> b : to engage in a search by groping or feeling <fishing around in her purse for her keys>
transitive verb
1
a : to try to catch fish in b : to fish with : use (as a boat, net, or bait) in fishing
2
a : to go fishing for <fish salmon> b : to pull or draw as if fishing <fished the ball from under the car> <fish wires through a conduit>
— fish·abil·i·ty \ˌfi-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— fish·able \ˈfi-shə-bəl\ adjective
— fish or cut bait
: to make a choice between alternatives
See fish defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FISH
before 12th century
Fish
biographical name \ˈfish\
Definition of FISH
Hamilton 1808–1893 Am. statesman
FISH[1] Defined for Kids
1fish
noun \ˈfish\
plural fish or fish·es
Definition of FISH for Kids
1
: any of a large group of vertebrate animals that live in water, breathe with gills, and usually have fins and scales
2
: an animal that lives in water —usually used in combination <starfish> <shellfish>
— fish·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
2fish
verb
fishedfish·ing
Definition of FISH for Kids
1
: to catch or try to catch fish
2
: to search for something by or as if by feeling <I fished in my purse for change.>
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