| flounder | To fling the limbs and body, as in making efforts to move; to struggle, as a horse in the mire, or as a fish on land; to roll, toss, and tumble; to flounce. "They have floundered on from blunder to blunder." (Sir W. Hamilton) Origin: Cf. D. Flodderen to flap, splash through mire, E. Flounce, v.i, and flounder the fish. 1. <zoology> A flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae, of many species. The common English flounder is Pleuronectes flesus. There are several common American species used as food; as the smooth flounder (P. Glabra); the rough or winter flounder (P. Americanus); the summer flounder, or plaice (Paralichthys dentatus), Atlantic coast; and the starry flounder (Pleuronectes stellatus). 2. A tool used in crimping boot fronts. Origin: Cf. Sw. Flundra; akin to Dan. Flynder, Icel. Flyra, G. Flunder, and perh. To E. Flounder, v.i. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| water flounder | <zoology> The windowpane (Pleuronectes maculatus). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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