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

Related Words

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