Flathead

¹

[flat-hed]

noun

1. Also called Bitterroot Salish. a member of an Indigenous people of northwest Montana.

2. a member of a confederated nation of Salish and Kootenay peoples, established in 1855 and located in northwest Montana.

3. a member of the Chinook people.

adjective

1. of or relating to any of the peoples historically known as Flathead or to their languages.

Flathead

²

[flat-hed]

noun

1. a river in SE British Columbia and NW Montana, flowing S to Flathead Lake and S and W to the Clark Fork River. 240 miles (385 km) long.

flathead

³

[flat-hed]

noun

plural

flathead ,

plural

flatheads .

1. any of several scorpaenoid fishes of the family Platycephalidae, chiefly inhabiting waters of the Indo-Pacific region and used for food.

flathead

/ ˈflætˌhɛd /

noun

1. any Pacific scorpaenoid food fish of the family Platycephalidae , which resemble gurnards

Word History and Origins

Origin of Flathead¹

First recorded in 1530–40; so called from their supposed practice of binding infants' heads to create a longer, flatter skull shape; the peoples currently known as Flatheads did not engage in this custom

Origin of Flathead²

First recorded in 1825–35; flat ¹ + head

Example Sentences

You’ll need something to pry off the bottom cap, such as a small flathead screwdriver or a plastic tool known as a “ spudger.”

From Seattle Times

Thinner than a flathead screwdriver, it’s perfect for prying open a domed cover to a lock.

From Literature

After an hour or two, use a flathead screwdriver to gently scrape out any excess mortar between tiles and wipe everything until it’s clean.

From Seattle Times

Wild Alaska pollock, Pacific cod, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flathead sole, Atka mackerel and Pacific Ocean perch are all certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council and the Responsible Fishery Management Program.

From Seattle Times

“I’ve seen gar, but I ain’t never seen a gar with a head shaped like this,” Smith said in an interview, explaining that he first thought his catch may have been a flathead catfish.

From Seattle Times