[shrimp] n, pl shrimps or shrimp [ME shrimpe; akin to MLG schrempen to contract, wrinkle, ON skorpna to shrivel up] (14c) 1: any of numerous mostly small and marine decapod crustaceans (suborders Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata) having a slender elongated body, a compressed abdomen, and a long spiny rostrum; also: a small crustacean (as an amphipod or a branchiopod) resembling the true shrimps
2: a very small or puny person or thing -- shrimp.like adj -- shrimpy adj
[2]shrimp vi (ca. 1859): to fish for or catch shrimps