| shrimp | 1. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to Crangon and various allied genera, having a slender body and long legs. Many of them are used as food. The larger kinds are called also prawns. In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe Caridea, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form. In a loose sense, any small crustacean, including some amphipods and even certain entomostracans; as, the fairy shrimp, and brine shrimp. See Fairy, and Brine. 2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; in contempt. "This weak and writhled shrimp." (Shak) Opossum shrimp. The little tern (Sterna minuta). Shrimp net, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net dragged over the fishing ground. Origin: OE. Shrimp; probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See Shrimp. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| shrimper | One who fishes for shrimps. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |