angler

[ ang-gler ]

noun

1. a person who fishes with a hook and line.
2. a person who gets or tries to get something through scheming.
3. Also called allmouth, anglerfish, goosefish, lotte, monkfish. any large pediculate fish of the family Lophiidae, especially Lophius americanus, found along the Atlantic coast of America, having an immense mouth and a large, depressed head to which is attached a wormlike filament for luring prey.
4. Also called anglerfish. any of various related fishes of the order Lophiiformes.

angler

/ ˈæŋɡlə /

noun

1. a person who fishes with a rod and line
2. informal.
   a person who schemes or uses devious methods to secure an advantage
3. Also calledangler fish any spiny-finned fish of the order Pediculati (or Lophiiformes ). They live at the bottom of the sea and typically have a long spiny movable dorsal fin with which they lure their prey

Word History and Origins

Origin of angler¹

First recorded in 1545–55; angle ² + -er ¹

Example Sentences

That story can be found on pp. 195-196 of Barton Gellman's to-date definitive study of the Cheney vice presidency, Angler.

From The Daily Beast

Theory may be very good, but practice is much better, and will only make the complete angler.

From Project Gutenberg

Independent of the varied attractions of nature, the early rising angler always has the best Summer sport.

From Project Gutenberg

But Colin had the makings of an angler in him and he was able instinctively to judge the amount of pressure that was needed.

From Project Gutenberg

The water-cow has not lately emerged from Alemoor to attack the casual angler.

From Project Gutenberg

I had a friend once, an angler, who in winter was fond of another sport.

From Project Gutenberg