roe

¹

[ roh ]

noun

1. the mass of eggs, or spawn, within the ovarian membrane of the female fish.
2. the milt or sperm of the male fish.
3. the eggs of any of various crustaceans, as the coral of the lobster.

roe

²

[ roh ]

noun

, plural roes, (especially collectively) roe.

1. roe deer.

ROE

³

Accounting.

1. return on equity.

Roe

¹

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. Richard Roe
   law (formerly) the defendant in a fictitious action, Doe versus Roe, to test a point of law See also Doe

roe

²

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. Also calledhard roe the ovary of a female fish filled with mature eggs
2. Also calledsoft roe the testis of a male fish filled with mature sperm
3. the ripe ovary of certain crustaceans, such as the lobster

roe

³

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. short for roe deer

roe

/ rō /

1. The eggs of a fish, often together with the membrane of the ovary in which they are held.

Word History and Origins

Origin of roe¹

1400–50; late Middle English rowe; cognate with Old High German rogo

Origin of roe²

before 900; Middle English roo, Old English rā, rāha; cognate with German Reh

Word History and Origins

Origin of roe¹

C15: from Middle Dutch roge , from Old High German roga ; related to Old Norse hrogn

Origin of roe²

Old English rā ( ha ), related to Old High German rēh ( o ), Old Norse rā

Example Sentences

"Walking through the woods, I spotted this roe doe grazing the foliage," says Walker-Nix.

From BBC

Red urchins are favored over the purple urchins because they contain more edible uni or roe inside, but commercial divers say the amount has shrunk with less kelp.

From Seattle Times

Some of the products don’t even contain any trace of sturgeon roe.

From Salon

There is also market-price caviar service, with golden trout roe, California sturgeon and sustainable golden osetra, which can be accompanied with wine, by the glass or bottle.

From Los Angeles Times

She brought over a small bowl of cooked Kokuho Rose — one topped with a spoonful of briny salmon roe that contrasted nicely with the rice’s floral bouquet.

From Los Angeles Times