lobster

[ lob-ster ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) lob·ster, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) lob·sters.

1. any of various large, edible, marine, usually dull-green, stalk-eyed decapod crustaceans of the family Homaridae, especially of the genus Homarus, having large, asymmetrical pincers on the first pair of legs, one used for crushing and the other for cutting and tearing: the shell turns bright red when cooked.
2. spiny lobster.
3. any of various similar crustaceans, as certain crayfishes.
4. the edible meat of these animals.

lobster

/ ˈlɒbstə /

noun

1. any of several large marine decapod crustaceans of the genus Homarus, esp H. vulgaris, occurring on rocky shores and having the first pair of limbs modified as large pincers
2. any of several similar crustaceans, esp the spiny lobster
3. the flesh of any of these crustaceans, eaten as a delicacy

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobster¹

before 1000; Middle English lopster, Old English loppestre literally, spidery creature ( loppe spider ( lob ¹ ) + -stre -ster ); lop ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobster¹

Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

Example Sentences

TGI Fridays follows in the footsteps of Red Lobster and Buca di Beppo chains, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the past months.

From Salon

In September, Red Lobster received court approval for its restructuring plan to continue operating under a new firm, RL Investor Holdings LLC.

From Salon

TGI Fridays’ woes are part of a dominant trend that has also affected American casual restaurant chains such as Red Lobster and Denny’s.

From Los Angeles Times

Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year after an all-you-can-eat shrimp fiasco contributed to financial losses; Rubio’s Coastal Grill did the same following the abrupt closure of 48 locations in California.

From Los Angeles Times

But more recent history suggests something different: Foods such as sushi, offal and even lobster became desirable not despite but because of their novelty and difference.

From Salon

Related Words

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