butterfish

[ buht-er-fish ]

noun

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

1. a small, flattened, marine food fish, Peprilus triacanthus, of Atlantic coastal waters of the United States, having very small scales and smooth skin.
2. the rock gunnel. gunnel1

butterfish

/ ˈbʌtəˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. an eel-like blennioid food fish, Pholis gunnellus , occurring in North Atlantic coastal regions: family Pholidae (gunnels). It has a slippery scaleless golden brown skin with a row of black spots along the base of the long dorsal fin
2. Also calledgreenboneMāorimarari an edible reef fish, Coridodax pullus , of esp S New Zealand. It has a slippery purplish-grey to olive-green skin and is often found browsing on kelp

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfish¹

First recorded in 1665–75; butter + fish

Example Sentences

Strain and return to the kettle; add the flounder and butterfish in pieces as large as possible, ½ lb.

From Project Gutenberg