"Fish" Definition

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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Additional Info
This page provides a list of definitions and meanings for "Fish" from various historical English dictionaries. By displaying multiple definitions, you can compare and contrast different meanings and nuances of a word, phrase, or slang. You can also see the changes in meaning of "Fish" over time by viewing the definitions from different dictionaries published at different times in history. The page also includes other information to help users expand their vocabulary and understand the context of the word.

Important Notes
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