fish etymology

Etymology

The word "fish" originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *peisk-, meaning "fish." This root is shared by many other Indo-European languages, including:

  • Latin: piscis
  • Greek: ιχθύς (ikhthus)
  • Sanskrit: मत्स्य (matsya)
  • Gothic: fisks
  • English: fish

Meaning

The word "fish" refers to any aquatic vertebrate animal that lives in water and has gills for breathing. Fish can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

Origin

The earliest known use of the word "fish" in English dates back to the 7th century. The word was originally used to refer to any aquatic animal that was not a mammal or a reptile. Over time, the meaning of the word has narrowed to refer specifically to vertebrate animals that have gills for breathing.

fish relate terms

  • fishing

    Etymology The word fishing originates from the Old English word fiscian meaning to

  • fish

    Etymology The word fish originates from the Proto Indo European root peisk meaning

  • shellfish

    Etymology The word shellfish is derived from two Old English words scell meaning

  • shell

    Etymology The word shell comes from the Old Norse word skjel meaning husk or cov

  • fish

    Etymology The word fish originates from the Proto Indo European root peisk meaning

  • catfish

    Etymology The word catfish derives from the Middle English cattefisshe which in tur

  • crayfish

    Etymology The word crayfish is derived from Middle English crayfyssh which in turn

  • dogfish

    Etymology The word dogfish is a compound word made up of two parts Dog This part li

  • grampus

    Etymology The word grampus originates from the Latin word grampus which is derived

  • remora

    Etymology The word remora is derived from the Latin word remorari meaning to delay

  • mullet

    Etymology of Mullet The word mullet comes from the Middle French mulet which mean

  • sardine

    Etymology The word sardine comes from the Latin sardinia which refers to the island

  • seine

    Etymology The word seine originates from the Anglo Norman French word seine fishin

  • garb

    Etymology The word garb is derived from Old English gearwe which means clothing eq

  • grab

    Etymology Middle English probably from a Scandinavian source compare Norwegian and Sw