halibut

hal·i·but

noun \ˈha-lə-bət also ˈhä-\

plural halibut also halibuts

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

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

First Known Use: 14th century

halibut

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of various flatfishes, especially the Atlantic and Pacific halibuts (genus Hippoglossus, family Pleuronectidae), both of which have eyes and colour on the right side. The Atlantic halibut, found on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, is the largest flatfish; it may reach a length of about 7 ft (2 m) and a weight of 720 lb (325 kg). It is brown, blackish, or deep green on the eyed side. The smaller and slimmer Pacific halibut is found on both sides of the North Pacific Ocean. Other edible halibut include the Greenland halibut, of Arctic and near-Arctic parts of the Atlantic, and the California halibut (family Bothidae), found along the California coast.