First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
halibut
noun hal·i·but \ˈha-lə-bət also ˈhä-\
: a large fish of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that is often eaten as food
plural halibut also halibuts
Full Definition of HALIBUT
: any of several marine flatfishes (especially Hippoglossus hippoglossus of the Atlantic and H. stenolepis of the Pacific) that are widely used for food and include some of the largest bony fishes
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Origin of HALIBUT
Middle English halybutte, from haly, holy holy + butte flatfish, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German but; from its being eaten on holy days
HALIBUTS Defined for Kids
halibut
noun hal·i·but \ˈha-lə-bət\
plural halibut or halibuts
Definition of HALIBUT for Kids
: a very large saltwater flatfish often used for food
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