silverfish

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 bristles. A common species ({Lepisma saccharina}) is found in houses, and often injures books and furniture; it feeds on starch and eats sized paper and starched clothes. Called also {shiner}, {silverfish}, {silver witch}, {silver moth}, and {furniture bug}. [1913 Webster +PJC]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • 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 — Sil ver*fish , n. 1. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) The tarpum. (b) A white variety of the goldfish. [1913 Webster] 2. one of a variety of insects of the order {Thysanura}, especially {Lepisma saccharina}, which may infest houses, and eats starched clothing and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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 — 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

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