gill 1
— gill-less , adj. — gill-like , adj.
/gil/ , n.
1. the respiratory organ of aquatic animals, as fish, that breathe oxygen dissolved in water.
2. Also called lamella . one of the radiating vertical plates on the underside of the cap of an agaric mushroom. See diag. under mushroom .
3. See ground ivy .
4. green or white around the gills , somewhat pale, as from being sickly, nervous, or frightened: When he heard how much the bill was, he looked a little green around the gills.
5. to the gills , Informal. fully; completely; totally: After that big meal we were all stuffed to the gills.
v.t.
6. to catch (fish) by the gills in a gill net.
7. to gut or clean (fish).
[ 1300-50; ME gile gjolnar gelno; c. Swed gäl, Dan gaelle, Norw gjelle gill ]
gill 2
/jil/ , n.
a unit of liquid measure equal to 1 / 4 pint (118.2937 ml).
[ 1225-75; ME gille gello, gillo water pot ]
gill 3
/gil/ , n. Brit.
1. a deep rocky cleft or wooded ravine forming the course of a stream.
2. a stream; brook; rivulet.
[ 1350-1400; ME gille gil ]
gill 4
/jil/ , n.
a girl or young woman; sweetheart.
[ 1400-50; late ME gil ( le ) generic use of Gil ( le ), short form of Gillian; see GILLIAN ]
gill 5
/gil/ , Textiles.
n.
1. a faller used in the combing process, generally for only the highest-quality fibers.
v.t.
2. to comb (fibers) with a gill.
[ 1830-40; perh. special use of GILL 1 ]