Main Entry: ¹fish

Pronunciation: \ˈfish\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural fish or fish·es

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fisc; akin to Old High German fisc fish, Latin piscis

Date: before 12th century

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 a : a person who is caught or is wanted (as in a criminal investigation) b : fellow, person <an odd fish> c : sucker 5a
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

[fish illustration]