Adjacent Words

monkfish definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: flesh of a large-headed anglerfish of the Atlantic waters of North America
2: fishes having large mouths with a wormlike filament attached for luring prey [syn: goosefish, angler, anglerfish, angler fish, monkfish, lotte, allmouth, Lophius Americanus]
3: sharks with broad flat bodies and winglike pectoral fins but that swim the way sharks do [syn: angel shark, angelfish, Squatina squatina, monkfish]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1666 either of two goosefishes (Lophius americanus of America and L. piscatorius of Europe) used for food

Britannica Concise

Any of 10-12 species of sharks (genus Squatina, family Squatinidae) having a flattened head and body, with winglike pectoral and pelvic fins that make them resemble rays. The tail bears two dorsal fins and a well-developed caudal fin. Behind each eye, on the upper surface of the head, is a prominent spiracle. Monkfish grow up to 6.25 ft (2.5 m) long. They inhabit tropical and warm temperate waters of the continental shelf worldwide. The angelfish, or angel shark (S. squatina), is often caught for food in European and Mediterranean waters.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 an angler-fish, esp. Lophius piscatorius, often used as food. 2 a large cartilaginous fish, Squatina squatina, with a flattened body and large pectoral fins. Also called angel-shark.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Monkfish Monk"fish, n. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The angel fish (Squatina). (b) The angler (Lophius).

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Angler An"gler, n. 1. One who angles. 2. (Zo["o]l.) A fish (Lophius piscatorius), of Europe and America, having a large, broad, and depressed head, with the mouth very large. Peculiar appendages on the head are said to be used to entice fishes within reach. Called also fishing frog, frogfish, toadfish, goosefish, allmouth, monkfish, etc.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Angel-fish, kingston, kingstone, shark-ray (Squatina angelus).