Definitions for the word "fish" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. n.
A counter, used in various games.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. pl.
of Fish
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. n.
A name loosely applied in popular usage to many animals of diverse characteristics, living in the water.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. n.
An oviparous, vertebrate animal usually having fins and a covering scales or plates. It breathes by means of gills, and lives almost entirely in the water. See Pisces.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
The twelfth sign of the zodiac; Pisces.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
The flesh of fish, used as food.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
A purchase used to fish the anchor.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. n.
A piece of timber, somewhat in the form of a fish, used to strengthen a mast or yard.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. v. i.
To attempt to catch fish; to be employed in taking fish, by any means, as by angling or drawing a net.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. v. i.
To seek to obtain by artifice, or indirectly to seek to draw forth; as, to fish for compliments.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. v. t.
To catch; to draw out or up; as, to fish up an anchor.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. v. t.
To search by raking or sweeping.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. v. t.
To try with a fishing rod; to catch fish in; as, to fish a stream.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. v. t.
To strengthen (a beam, mast, etc.), or unite end to end (two timbers, railroad rails, etc.) by bolting a plank, timber, or plate to the beam, mast, or timbers, lengthwise on one or both sides. See Fish joint, under Fish, n.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. n.
(pl. Same or -es) 1 vertebrate cold-blooded animal with gills and fins living wholly in water. 2 any of various non-vertebrate animals living wholly in water, e.g. The cuttlefish, shellfish, and jellyfish. 3 fish as food. 4 colloq. Person of a specified, usu. Unpleasant, kind (an odd fish). 5 (the fish or fishes) sign or constellation pisces. v. 1 try to catch fish. 2 fish in (a certain river, pool, etc.). 3 (foll. By for) a search for. B seek indirectly (fishing for compliments). 4 (foll. By up, out, etc.) Retrieve with effort. drink like a fish drink alcohol excessively. Fish out of water person out of his or her element. Other fish to fry other matters to attend to. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
16. n.
Flat or curved plate of iron, wood, etc., used to strengthen a beam, joint, or mast. [french ficher fix, from latin figere *fix]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
17. slang
a person; “a queer FISH,” “a loose FISH.” Term never used except
in doubtful cases, as those quoted.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
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