n. & v.
n. (pl. same or fishes) 1 a vertebrate cold-blooded animal with gills and fins living wholly in water. 2 any animal living wholly in water, e.g. cuttlefish, shellfish, jellyfish. 3 the flesh of fish as food. 4 colloq. a person remarkable in some way (usu. unfavourable) (an odd fish). 5 (the Fish or Fishes) the zodiacal sign or constellation Pisces. 6 Naut. sl. a torpedo; a submarine.
v. 1 intr. try to catch fish, esp. with a line or net. 2 tr. fish for (a certain kind of fish) or in (a certain stretch of water). 3 intr. (foll. by for) a search for in water or a concealed place. b seek by indirect means (fishing for compliments). 4 tr. (foll. by up, out, etc.) retrieve with careful or awkward searching. drink like a fish drink excessively. fish-bowl a usu. round glass bowl for keeping pet fish in. fish cake a cake of shredded fish and mashed potato, usu. eaten fried. fish eagle 1 any large eagle of the genus Haliaeetus, with long broad wings, strong legs, and a strong tail. 2 any of several other eagles catching and feeding on fish. fish-eye lens a very wide-angle lens with a curved front. fish farm a place where fish are bred for food. fish finger Brit. a small oblong piece of fish in batter or breadcrumbs. fish-glue isinglass. fish-hawk an osprey, Pandion haliaeetus. fish-hook a barbed hook for catching fish. fish-kettle an oval pan for boiling fish. fish-knife a knife for eating or serving fish. fish-meal ground dried fish used as fertilizer or animal feed. fish out of water a person in an unsuitable or unwelcome environment or situation. fish-pond (or -pool) a pond or pool in which fish are kept. fish-slice a flat utensil for lifting fish and fried foods during and after cooking. other fish to fry other matters to attend to.
[ OE fisc, fiscian f. Gmc ]