weakfish

[ week-fish ]

noun

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

1. any food fish of the genus Cynoscion, as C. regalis, inhabiting waters along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.

weakfish

/ ˈwiːkˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of several sciaenid sea trouts, esp Cynoscion regalis, a food and game fish of American Atlantic coastal waters

Word History and Origins

Origin of weakfish¹

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; from Dutch weekvis (obsolete), equivalent to week “soft, weak ” + vis fish

Example Sentences

The fishermen were beginning to haul in weakfish and an occasional tautog, or blackfish.

From Project Gutenberg

The name weakfish is doubtless derived from the Dutch, and is said to have originally meant a soft fish.

From Project Gutenberg

Although it seems to consort a good deal with the weakfish, its habits of feeding are quite different from that fish.

From Project Gutenberg

Then follows the ready response of the gamy weakfish to the angler's lure, the brave fight and happy landing of the prize.

From Project Gutenberg

Whenever met with they can be taken by the same methods and with the same tackle as recommended for the northern weakfish.

From Project Gutenberg