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

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:

See shrimp in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. shrimp shrimp or shrimps
  1. 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.
  2. Slang
    a. A person regarded as unimportant.
    b. A person who is small in stature.
intransitive verb shrimped, shrimp·ing, shrimps shrimps
To fish for shrimp.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English shrimpe

Origin: , possibly of Low German origin

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Related Forms:

  • shrimpˈer noun

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