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shrimp definition

shrimp (s̸hrimp)

noun pl. shrimps or shrimp

  1. any of a large number of small, slender, long-tailed decapods, mostly marine: many are highly valued as food
  2. Informal a small or insignificant person

Etymology: ME schrimpe, shrimp, puny person < base of OE scrimman (akin to obs. Ger schrimpfen, to shrink, dry up) < IE *(s)kremb-, to turn, twist, shrink < base *(s)ker-, to turn

intransitive verb

to fish for shrimp

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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