flatfish

[ flat-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) flat·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) flat·fish·es.

1. any fish of the order Heterosomata (Pleuronectiformes), including the halibut, sole, flounder, etc., having a greatly compressed body and swimming on one side, with both eyes on the upper side in the adult.

flatfish

/ ˈflætˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any marine spiny-finned fish of the order Heterosomata , including the halibut, plaice, turbot, and sole, all of which (when adult) swim along the sea floor on one side of the body, which is highly compressed and has both eyes on the uppermost side

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatfish¹

First recorded in 1700–10; flat ¹ + fish

Example Sentences

Others, including flatfish and whiting, were shown to leave those areas.

From Seattle Times

Others, including flatfish and whiting, were shown to leave those areas.

From Seattle Times

Unfortunately, their faulty reasoning justifies pollock, Pacific cod and flatfish fisheries continuing as usual, despite the issue of crab bycatch.

From Seattle Times

This has stoked tensions with the Bering Sea bottom trawl fleets, which incidentally catch and then must discard halibut as they pursue flatfish.

From Seattle Times

But other fish — such as Arctic cod, capelin and flatfish — evolved to thrive in this environment, with the cold pool serving as a protective barrier.

From Los Angeles Times