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dogfish

American  
[dawg-fish, dog-] / ˈdɔgˌfɪʃ, ˈdɒg- /

noun

plural

dogfish,

plural

dogfishes
  1. any of several small sharks, especially of the genera Mustelus and Squalus, that are destructive to food fishes.

  2. any of various other fishes, such as the bowfin.


dogfish British  
/ ˈdɒɡˌfɪʃ /

noun

  1. any of several small spotted European sharks, esp Scyliorhinus caniculus ( lesser spotted dogfish ): family Scyliorhinidae

  2. any small shark of the family Squalidae, esp Squalus acanthias ( spiny dogfish ), typically having a spine on each dorsal fin

  3. any small smooth-skinned shark of the family Triakidae, esp Mustelus canis ( smooth dogfish or smooth hound )

  4. a less common name for the bowfin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dogfish

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; dog + fish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The fish sold through Fishadelphia includes well-known species like tuna or scallops and what Yi calls underutilized: species like dragon fish, dogfish, monkfish, skate and when those aren't available, clams and oysters.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2023

The U.S. ban comes with a few exceptions, including allowing the sale of fins from certain dogfish sharks.

From Washington Post • Dec. 15, 2022

Shark sightings have become more common along Long Island’s shores this summer — and not just the mostly harmless, abundant dogfish.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2022

Shark sightings have become more common along Long Island’s shores this summer - and not just the mostly harmless, abundant dogfish.

From Washington Times • Jul. 29, 2022

He was injecting the veins and arteries of small dogfish with color mass.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck