crayfish
/'kreifiʃ/ Cách viết khác : (crawfish) /'krɔ:fiʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A large edible marine crustacean: A saltwater crustacean with a spiny shell, similar to a lobster but without large claws.
- A small freshwater decapod crustacean: A small, lobster-like animal that lives in freshwater streams and rivers.
- The meat of these animals: The edible flesh from either the marine or freshwater crustacean, often cooked by boiling.
Examples
- Noun:
- We went to the creek and caught several crayfish.
- The restaurant's specialty is crayfish bisque.
- Marine crayfish are an important commercial catch in some regions.
Advanced Usage
- "To crayfish" (verb, informal/regional): To retreat or back out of a situation, akin to the backward movement of the animal. This usage is less common and often considered colloquial.
- He promised to help, but he crayfished at the last minute.
Variants and Related Words
- Crawfish: An alternative spelling and common name, especially in North America.
- Spiny lobster / Rock lobster: Terms often used for the marine variety of crayfish, distinguishing them from true (clawed) lobsters.
- Yabby / Yabbie: Common Australian names for certain freshwater crayfish.
Synonyms
- Freshwater lobster (for freshwater types)
- Langouste (for some marine types)
- Crawdad (informal, chiefly US)
Related Phrases
- "To turn crayfish": An idiomatic expression meaning to back out or retreat from a promise or position.
- After all his big talk, he turned crayfish when it was time to act.
Noun
- large edible marine crustacean having a spiny carapace but lacking the large pincers of true lobsters
- small freshwater decapod crustacean that resembles a lobster
- tiny lobster-like crustaceans usually boiled briefly
- warm-water lobsters without claws; those from Australia and South Africa usually marketed as frozen tails; caught also in Florida and California