minnow
min·now / ˈminō/ • n. a small freshwater Eurasian cyprinoid fish (Phoxinus phoxinus, family Cyprinidae) that typically forms large shoals. ∎ any fish of the minnow family (Cyprinidae), the largest family of fishes, which includes carps, shiners, spinefins, squawfishes, chubs, daces, and stonerollers. ∎ used in names of similar small freshwater fishes, e.g., topminnow. ∎ a person or organization of relatvely small size, power, or influence.ORIGIN: late Middle English: probably related to German Münne.
minnow
minnow XV. Early form menow, later minew, perh. orig. repr. OE. *mynwe (beside recorded OE. myne) = OHG. muniwa, but infl. by ME. menuse, menise — OF. menuise :- Rom. *minūtia n. pl. small objects (cf. MINUTIAE).
minnow
minnow this small freshwater fish, which typically forms large shoals, is often taken as the type of something which though great in number is weak in strength.
See also Triton of the minnows.
See also Triton of the minnows.
minnow
minnow Subfamily of freshwater fish found in temperate and tropical regions. It includes shiners, dace, chub, tench, and bream. The term includes small fish of the genera Phoxinus and Leuciscus. Length: 4–46cm (1.5–18in). Family Cyprinidae.
More From encyclopedia.com
Butterfly Fish , Butterfly fish (family Chaetodontidae) are some of the most colorful and varied fish of the oceans, the majority of which live on or close to coral r… Kingfish , king·fish / ˈkingˌfish/ • n. (pl. same or -fish·es) 1. any of a number of large sporting fish, many of which are edible: ∎ a fish of the jack family… Osteichthyes , Osteichthyes, or bony fishes, includes two major groups: Sarcopterygii, or lobe-finned fishes, and Actinopterygii, or ray-finned fishes. The characte… garfish , garfish •raffish • damselfish •catfish, flatfish •garfish, starfish •redfish •elfish, selfish, shellfish •devilfish •crayfish, waifish •stiffish • ki… Roach , roach1 / rōch/ • n. inf. 1. a cockroach. 2. the butt of a marijuana cigarette. roach2 • n. (pl. same) an edible Eurasian freshwater fish (Rutilus rut… Bluefish , blue·fish / ˈbloōˌfish/ • n. (pl. same or -fishes) a predatory blue-colored marine fish (Pomatomus saltatrix, family Pomatomidae) of tropical and tem…
About this article
minnow
All Sources -
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
minnow