ˈmi(ˌ)nō, -_nə noun
( plural minnows also minnow )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English menawe; akin to Old English myne minnow, Old High German munewa, a fish, Russian men' eelpout, and perhaps to Greek manos sparse — more at monk
1.
a. : a small European cyprinid fish ( Phoxinus phoxinus ) common in gravelly streams and attaining a length of about three inches maximum ; broadly : any of the usually small fishes constituting the family Cyprinidae
b. : a small killifish or topminnow — see mudminnow
c. : a fish of the family Galaxiidae
2. : a small fish not specified as a sport fish or game fish especially in game laws
3. : a small or insignificant person or thing
4. : a live or artificial minnow used as bait in fishing — see lure illustration