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holibut

 - 3 dictionary results

hol⋅i⋅but

  [hol-uh-buht]
Use holibut in a Sentence
–noun, plural (especially collectively) -but, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) -buts.
halibut.

hal⋅i⋅but

  [hal-uh-buht, hol-]
–noun, plural (especially collectively) -but, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) -buts.
1. either of two large flatfishes, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, of the North Atlantic, or H. stenolepis, of the North Pacific, used for food.
2. any of various other similar flatfishes.
Also, holibut.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME halybutte, equiv. to haly (var. of holy ) + butte flat fish (< MD); so called because eaten on holy days. Compare D heilbot, G Heilbutt
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

halibut 
1396, from hali "holy" + butte "flatfish;" supposedly so called from its being eaten on holy days (cf. cognate Du. heilbot, Low Ger. heilbutt, Swed. helgeflundra, Dan. helleflynder). The second element is a general Gmc. name applied to various kinds of flat fishes; cf. O.Swed. but "flatfish," M.E. butt (c.1300), perhaps ult. from PIE *bhauh- "to strike."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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