silverfish

views updated May 29 2018

sil·ver·fish / ˈsilvərˌfish/ • n. (pl. same or -fishes) 1. a chiefly nocturnal silvery bristletail (Lepisma saccharina, family Lepismatidae) that frequents houses and other buildings, feeding on starchy materials. 2. a silver-colored fish, esp. a goldfish of an unpigmented variety.

silverfish

views updated May 11 2018

silverfish (subclass Apterygota, order Thysanura) Common name for members of the family Lepismatidae; it is sometimes used to denote any member of the Thysanura.

silverfish

views updated May 18 2018

silverfish (bristletail) Primitive, grey, wingless insect found throughout the world. It lives in cool, damp places, feeding on starchy materials such as food scraps and paper. It gets its name from the silvery scales that cover its body. Length: 13mm (0.5in). Family Lepismatidae; species Lepisma saccharina.