Definition

1. Noun:
   • Respiratory organ of aquatic animals: A gill is the organ through which fish and other aquatic animals extract oxygen from water.
   • Spore-producing structure on a fungus: A gill is one of the thin, radiating, blade-like structures on the underside of the cap of a mushroom or similar fungus, where spores are produced.
   • A unit of liquid volume: A gill is a unit for measuring liquids. In the US, it equals 4 fluid ounces. In the UK, it equals 5 fluid ounces.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Respiratory organ):
  • Fish use their gills to breathe underwater.
  • The biologist examined the gill structure of the trout.
• Noun (Fungal structure):
  • The mushroom's gills were a dark brown color.
  • To identify the species, look at the spacing of the gills.
• Noun (Unit of measurement):
  • The recipe called for a gill of cream. (UK usage)
  • He poured a gill of whiskey into the glass. (US usage)

Advanced Usage

• "To be green about the gills": To look pale or sickly, often from nausea.
  • After the rough boat ride, he was looking a bit green about the gills.
• "To be rosy about the gills": To look healthy and with a good complexion.
  • The cold morning air left her rosy about the gills.

Variants and Related Words

• Gilled (adj): Having gills.
  • Gilled mushrooms are common in this forest.
• Gill net (n): A type of fishing net that catches fish by their gills. (This is a compound word listed separately as instructed).

Synonyms

• Lamella: A thin layer, plate, or membrane, especially in a biological context; can be synonymous with a fungal gill.
• Branchia: The technical zoological term for a gill.

Related Phrases

• Gill cover: The bony flap (operculum) protecting the gills of a fish.
  • The fish's gill cover moved rhythmically as it breathed.

Noun

1. respiratory organ of aquatic animals that breathe oxygen dissolved in water
2. any of the radiating leaflike spore-producing structures on the underside of the cap of a mushroom or similar fungus
3. a United States liquid unit equal to 4 fluid ounces
4. a British imperial capacity unit (liquid or dry) equal to 5 fluid ounces or 142.066 cubic centimeters