2. one of a variety of insects of the order {Thysanura}, especially {Lepisma saccharina}, which may infest houses, and eats starched clothing and sized papers. See {Lepisma.} [PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
silverfish — [sil′vərfish΄] n. 1. pl. silverfish or silverfishes (see FISH) any of various fishes of a silvery color, as the tarpon or silverside 2. silverfish any of various families of primitive, wingless thysanuran insects with silvery scales, long feelers … English World dictionary
silverfish — (n.) 1703, in reference to various types of silver colored fish (Cf. Ger. Silberfisch, Du. zilvervisch); from SILVER (Cf. silver) + FISH (Cf. fish) (n.). In reference to a type of insect (also known as springtail), it is attested from 1855 … Etymology dictionary
silverfish — ► NOUN ▪ a small silvery wingless insect that lives in buildings … English terms dictionary
Silverfish — Taxobox name = Lepisma saccharina image width = 200px regnum = Animalia phylum = Arthropoda classis = Insecta ordo = Thysanura familia = Lepismatidae genus = Lepisma species = L. saccharina binomial = Lepisma saccharina binomial authority =… … Wikipedia
silverfish — /sil veuhr fish /, n., pl. (esp. collectively) silverfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) silverfishes. 1. a white or silvery goldfish, Carassius auratus. 2. any of various other silvery fishes, as the tarpon, silversides, or… … Universalium
silverfish — UK [ˈsɪlvə(r)ˌfɪʃ] / US [ˈsɪlvərˌfɪʃ] noun [countable] Word forms silverfish : singular silverfish plural silverfish or silverfishes an insect with a grey or silver body that often causes damage to paper products or clothing … English dictionary
silverfish — Lepisma Le*pis ma (l[ e]*p[i^]z m[.a]), n. [NL., fr. Gr. le pisma peel, fr. lepi s i dos, a scale.] (Zo[ o]l.) A genus of wingless thysanurous insects having an elongated flattened body, covered with shining scales and terminated by seven unequal … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
silverfish — Tarpum Tar pum, n. (Zo[ o]l.) A very large marine fish ({Megapolis Atlanticus}) of the Southern United States and the West Indies. It often becomes six or more feet in length, and has large silvery scales. The scales are a staple article of trade … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
silverfish — sil|ver|fish [ˈsılvəfıʃ US ər ] n plural silverfish or silverfishes a small silver coloured insect that cannot fly and is found in houses … Dictionary of contemporary English
silverfish — noun plural silverfish or silverfishes (C) a small silver coloured insect that is found in houses and sometimes damages paper or cloth … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
