crucian carp

[ kroo-shuhn ]

noun

1. a common cyprinid, Carassius carassius, that closely resembles the wild form of goldfish, occurring in streams in most parts of Europe and northern Asia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crucian carp¹

1755–65; earlier crusion, probably < Low German (with plural ending -en interpreted as singular) Krunsch, Kruutsch, Middle Low German Karûsse (compare Dutch Karuts, German Karausche ), perhaps ultimately < Latin coracīnus < Greek korakînos a fish of the Nile