prawn

/prɔ:n/

Thân thiện

A fisherman uses a net to catch prawns in the shallow water.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A shrimp-like decapod crustacean having two pairs of pincers; most are edible: A prawn is a type of shellfish, similar to a shrimp but often larger, with a slender body and long legs.
   • Any of various edible decapod crustaceans: This term broadly refers to several species of edible crustaceans, particularly those of commercial importance.

2. Verb:

   • To fish for prawns: The action of catching prawns, typically using nets or traps.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We ordered garlic butter prawns for our appetizer.
  • The biologist studied the life cycle of the tiger prawn.
• Verb:
  • They go to the estuary every summer to prawn.
  • The local fishermen prawn in these waters.

Advanced Usage

• "To come the raw prawn" (Australian & New Zealand slang): To attempt to deceive someone; to pretend ignorance.
  • Don't come the raw prawn with me; I know you took the last biscuit.

Variants and Related Words

• Prawner (noun): A boat used for prawn fishing.
  • The prawner returned to the harbor with a full catch.
• Prawn cocktail (noun phrase): A dish of cooked, chilled prawns served with a sauce, often as a starter.
  • She always starts her Christmas dinner with a prawn cocktail.

Synonyms

• Shrimp: A similar, often smaller, crustacean. (Note: In some regions, the terms "prawn" and "shrimp" are used interchangeably, but they are biologically distinct.)
• Crustacean: The broader biological class to which prawns belong.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "As scarce as rocking horse manure" (sometimes extended with "or a prawn in the desert"): Extremely rare or non-existent.
  • Finding a parking spot here is as scarce as a prawn in the desert.

Học thuật

Noun

1. shrimp-like decapod crustacean having two pairs of pincers; most are edible
2. any of various edible decapod crustaceans

Verb

1. fish for prawns

Từ đồng nghĩa

• shrimp