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catfish

 - 2 dictionary results

cat⋅fish

[kat-fish]
–plural noun (especially collectively) -fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) -fish⋅es.
1. any of the numerous fishes of the order or suborder Nematognathi (or Siluroidei), characterized by barbels around the mouth and the absence of scales.
2. a wolffish of the genus Anarhichas.
3. any of various other fishes having a fancied resemblance to a cat.

Origin:
1605–15; cat1 + fish
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cat·fish   (kāt'fĭsh')   
n.   pl. catfish or cat·fish·es
Any of numerous scaleless, chiefly freshwater fishes of the order Siluriformes, characteristically having whiskerlike barbels extending from the upper jaw. Also called regionally bullhead, mud cat.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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