dogfish
Americannoun
plural
dogfish,plural
dogfishes-
any of several small sharks, especially of the genera Mustelus and Squalus, that are destructive to food fishes.
-
any of various other fishes, such as the bowfin.
noun
-
any of several small spotted European sharks, esp Scyliorhinus caniculus ( lesser spotted dogfish ): family Scyliorhinidae
-
any small shark of the family Squalidae, esp Squalus acanthias ( spiny dogfish ), typically having a spine on each dorsal fin
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any small smooth-skinned shark of the family Triakidae, esp Mustelus canis ( smooth dogfish or smooth hound )
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a less common name for the bowfin
Etymology
Origin of dogfish
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
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.