| flatfish | <zoology> Any fish of the family Pleuronectidae; especially, the winter flounder (Pleuronectes Americanus). The flatfishes have the body flattened, swim on the side, and have eyes on one side, as the flounder, turbot, and halibut. See Flounder. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| flatfishes | Common name for the order pleuronectiformes. A very distinctive group in that during development they become asymmetrical, i.e., one eye migrates to lie adjacent to the other. They swim on the eyeless side. Flounder, sole, and turbot, along with several others, are included in this order. (12 Dec 1998) |