crayfish

[ krey-fish ]

noun

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

1. Also called crawdad, crawdaddy. any freshwater decapod crustacean of the genera Astacus and Cambarus, closely related to but smaller than the lobsters.
2. any of several similar marine crustaceans, especially the spiny lobster.

crayfish

/ ˈkreɪˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any freshwater decapod crustacean of the genera Astacus and Cambarus, resembling a small lobster
2. any of various similar crustaceans, esp the spiny lobster

Word History and Origins

Origin of crayfish¹

1350–1400; alteration (by folk etymology) of Middle English crevis < Middle French crevice < Old High German krebiz crab ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of crayfish¹

C14: cray , by folk etymology, from Old French crevice crab, from Old High German krebiz + fish

Example Sentences

Neither overfishing nor pollution, writes David Wilcove in his book The Condor’s Shadow, “has endangered as many species of fish, mussels, amphibians, and crayfish as has habitat destruction.”

From Slate

While some research has found that morphine can have analgesic effects on crayfish, we don’t yet know what type of receptor it’s targeting, though it probably relates to these evolutionarily early starts at an opioid system.

From Salon

As with humans, crayfish and capybaras, if you look you’ll find the biochemical markers of the poor bees’ cognitive change.

From Salon

But there is also a lot we don’t know, including about decapod crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, and shrimp.

From BBC

“Fish and river crayfish passing through Utrecht have been given their own doorbell, so they can continue the trek to their spawning grounds without having to wait too long,” read one report.

From Slate

Related Words

• clam
• conch
• crawfish
• crustacean
• lobster
• mollusk
• mussel
• oyster
• prawn
• scallop
• shrimp
• snail