tench

[tench]

noun, plural tench·es, (especially collectively) tench.

a freshwater food fish, Tinca tinca, of Europe and Asia that can survive short periods out of water.

Origin of tench

1350–1400; Middle English tenche < Middle French, Old French < Late Latin tinca

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for tench

Historical Examples of tench

When of a good size, as in Holland, they are a remarkably fine fresh-water fish, though not so delicate as carp or tench.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
Carp is the chief stock; but tench and perch, eels and pike are raised.
Highways & Byways in Sussex
E.V. Lucas
There were three other fish in the aquarium, two tench and a gold carp.
The Dawn of Reason
James Weir
“And the great jack and chub and tench we used to fish out,” said Uncle Bob.
Patience Wins
George Manville Fenn
Tench are tenacious of life, but sluggish and fond of lying at the bottom.
Three Hundred Things a Bright Boy Can Do
Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for tench

tench

noun

a European freshwater cyprinid game fish, Tinca tinca, having a thickset dark greenish body with a barbel at each side of the mouth

Word Origin for tench

C14: from Old French tenche, from Late Latin tinca

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