Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » shrimp

shrimp

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

(s̸hrimp)

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

Origin: 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:

shrimper noun

See shrimp in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. shrimp shrimp or shrimps

a. Any of various small, chiefly marine decapod crustaceans of the suborder Natantia, many species of which are edible, having a compressed or elongated body with a well-developed abdomen, long legs and antennae, and a long spinelike projection of the carapace.
b. Any of various similar crustaceans, such as certain isopods and amphipods.
Slang
a. A person regarded as unimportant.
b. A person who is small in stature.