shark

¹shark

noun \ˈshärk\

Definition of SHARK

: any of numerous mostly marine cartilaginous fishes of medium to large size that have a fusiform body, lateral branchial clefts, and a tough usually dull gray skin roughened by minute tubercles and are typically active predators sometimes dangerous to humans

— shark·like \ˈshärk-ˌlīk\ adjective

Illustration of SHARK

Origin of SHARK

Middle English

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with SHARK

arc, ark, bark, dark, hark, lark, marc, MARC, mark, Mark, marque, narc, nark, park, Park, quark, sark, spark, stark

²shark

noun

Definition of SHARK

1

: a rapacious crafty person who takes advantage of others often through usury, extortion, or devious means <loan sharks>

2

: one who excels greatly especially in a particular field

Origin of SHARK

probably modification of German Schurke scoundrel

First Known Use: 1599

³shark

verb

Definition of SHARK

transitive verb

1

archaic : to gather hastily

2

archaic : to obtain by some irregular means

intransitive verb

1

archaic : to practice fraud or trickery

2

archaic : sneak

First Known Use of SHARK

1602

shark

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of more than 300 species of predatory cartilaginous fish (order Selachii). An ancient animal, it has changed little in 100 million years. The skin typically is dull gray and tough and has toothlike scales. Most sharks have a muscular, asymmetrical, upturned tail; pointed fins; a pointed snout; and sharp triangular teeth. Sharks have no swim bladder and must swim perpetually to keep from sinking. Most species bear living young. Several species can be dangerous to humans (e.g., great white shark, hammerhead shark, sand shark, tiger shark); smaller ones, called topes, hounds, and dogfishes, are fished commercially. See also basking shark, mackerel shark, mako shark, thresher shark, whale shark.