Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Shrimp?

\Shrimp\, v. t. [Cf. AS. scrimman to dry up, wither, MHG. schrimpfen to shrink, G. schrumpfen, Dan. skrumpe, skrumpes, Da. & Sw. skrumpen shriveled. Cf. {Scrimp}, {Shrink}, {Shrivel}.] To contract; to shrink. [Obs.]
\Shrimp\, n. [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See {Shrimp}, v.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) (a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to {Crangon} and various allied genera, having a slender body and long legs. Many of them are used as food. The larger kinds are called also {prawns}. See Illust. of {Decapoda}. (b) In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe {Caridea}, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form. (c) In a loose sense, any small crustacean, including some amphipods and even certain entomostracans; as, the fairy shrimp, and brine shrimp. See under {Fairy}, and {Brine}. 2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in contempt. This weak and writhled shrimp. --Shak. {Opossum shrimp}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Opossum}. {Spector shrimp}, or {Skeleton shrimp} (Zo["o]l.), any slender amphipod crustacean of the genus {Caprella} and allied genera. See Illust. under {L[ae]modopoda}. {Shrimp catcher} (Zo["o]l.), the little tern ({Sterna minuta}). {Shrimp net}, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net dragged over the fishing ground.