Dictionary

1shrimp

noun \ˈshrimp, especially Southern ˈsrimp\

: a small shellfish that has a long body and legs and that is eaten as food

: a very small or unimportant person

plural shrimps or shrimp

Full Definition of SHRIMP

1
:  any of numerous mostly small and marine decapod crustaceans (suborders Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata) having a slender elongated body, a compressed abdomen, and a long spiny rostrum and including some (especially family Penaeidae) that are commercially important as food; also :  a small crustacean (as an amphipod or a branchiopod) resembling the true shrimps
2
:  a very small or puny person or thing
shrimp·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
shrimpy \ˈshrim-pē, ˈsrim-\ adjective
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Origin of SHRIMP

Middle English shrimpe; akin to Middle Low German schrempen to contract, wrinkle, Old Norse skorpna to shrivel up
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

anemone, cephalopod, quahog

2shrimp

intransitive verb

Definition of SHRIMP

:  to fish for or catch shrimps

First Known Use of SHRIMP

1808

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, covert, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, spoor, trawl
SHRIMPY Defined for Kids

shrimp

noun \ˈshrimp\

Definition of SHRIMP for Kids

1
:  a small shellfish of the sea that is related to the crabs and lobsters and is often used for food
2
:  a very small or unimportant person or thing

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