FISH

n. & v. --n. 1 a flat plate of iron, wood, etc., to strengthen a beam or joint. 2 Naut. a piece of wood, convex and concave, used to strengthen a mast etc. --v.tr. 1 mend or strengthen (a spar etc.) with a fish. 2 join (rails) with a fish-plate. øfish-bolt a bolt used to fasten fish-plates and rails together. fish-plate a a flat piece of iron etc. connecting railway rails. b a flat piece of metal with ends like a fish's tail, used to position masonry. øøfishlike adj. [orig. as verb: f. F ficher fix ult. f. L figere]