handfish

1 of 2

noun

: a fish of the family Brachionichthyidae

handfish

2 of 2

intransitive verb

: to catch fish with the hands sometimes with bait as a lure : guddle

Word History

Etymology

Noun

hand entry 1 + fish (noun); from the pectoral fins that resemble hands

Intransitive verb

hand entry 1 + fish (verb)

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Dictionary Entries Near handfish

Cite this Entry

“Handfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handfish. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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