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halibut
(hal′ə bət; also häl′-)
any of a genus (Hippoglossus, family Pleuronectidae) of large, edible flounders found in northern seas, esp. the Atlantic species (H. hippoglossus), which may exceed 45 kg (c. 100 lb)
Origin: ME halybutte < hali, holy + butt, a flounder (so called because eaten on holidays): see holy + butt
See halibut in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. halibut halibut or hal·i·buts
Any of several large edible flatfishes of the genus Hippoglossus and related genera, of northern Atlantic or Pacific waters.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: : hali, holi, holy (from its being eaten on holy days); see Holy
Origin: + butte, flatfish (from Middle Dutch; see bhau- in Indo-European roots)
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