minnow

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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.

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