sheepshead

[ sheeps-hed ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) sheeps·head, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) sheeps·heads

1. a deep-bodied, black-banded food fish, Archosargus probatocephalus, living along the Atlantic coast of the United States, chiefly around southwest Florida, and southward to Brazil.
2. a freshwater fish, the drum Aplodinotus grunniens, found throughout the eastern half of the United States and southward to Guatemala.
3. sheephead ( def ).
4. Also called schafskopf. Cards. an earlier and simpler form of skat.
5. Obsolete. a foolish or stupid person.

sheepshead

/ ˈʃiːpsˌhɛd /

noun

1. any of several sparid fishes with strong crushing teeth, esp Archosargus rhomboidalis, of the American Atlantic, which is marked with dark bands

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheepshead¹

First recorded in 1535–45; sheep + 's ¹ + head

Example Sentences

Born and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, he grew up in a blue-collar family.

From The Daily Beast

Fox switched to a WNYW-TV report on rising water near a group of homes in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.

From The Daily Beast

It's about as mild here as with you in October and as damp as Sheepshead's Bay in an autumn storm.

From Project Gutenberg

In addition, hand line or bass rod fishing can be enjoyed for sheepshead and channel bass.

From Project Gutenberg

The difference in flavor between the sheepshead of the North and South may perhaps be due to the character of their food.

From Project Gutenberg

A good rod for sheepshead fishing is the natural bamboo rod, known as the striped-bass chum rod.

From Project Gutenberg

Chestertown, or blackfish hooks formerly so much in vogue for the sheepshead.

From Project Gutenberg