I. ˈrō noun
( plural roe or roes )
Etymology: Middle English ro, roo, from Old English rā; akin to Old High German rēh roe deer, Old Norse rā roe deer, Old Irish rīabach dappled, Lithuanian raĩbas
1. : roe deer
2.
a. : hind
b. : doe
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English roof, roughe, row; akin to Old High German rogo roe, Old Norse hrogn roe, Lithuanian kurkulaĩ frog's eggs
1.
a. : the eggs of a fish especially when still enclosed in the ovarian membrane
shad roe
— compare soft roe
b. : the eggs or ovaries of an invertebrate (as the coral of a lobster)
2. : a dark mottled or flecked figure appearing especially in quartersawed lumber of wood with an interlocked grain (as a figured mahogany)