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Glite Dictionary
butterfish

butterfish

1 6.7
A small flat sea fish with soft flesh often eaten
  • noun
  • /ˈbʌtərˌfɪʃ/
  • US
translation icon : pez mantequilla
  • At the local market, I bought fresh butterfish for dinner.
  • butterfish and squid

Hey Siri, what is Filipino of butterfish?

Examples

  • Mackerel, sardines, herring, blue runner, mullet, capelin, butterfish.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • We enjoyed a delicious meal featuring butterfish grilled with lemon and herbs.

  • Undoubtedly, the principal cause of declines in some species, such as bluefish, butterfish, menhaden, scup, silver hake, spot, and weakfish, was heavy fishing by commercial and sport fishermen in the ocean before they entered the bay.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The chef recommended the butterfish as the catch of the day, perfect for a light, flavorful dish.

Synonyms

Pholis gunnellus
vsbutterfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small, long fish people eat that hides among rocks near the northern Atlantic shore

is the general common name rather than one specific species name
Poronotus triacanthus
vsbutterfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small fish found along the Atlantic coast that people eat for its mild flavor

is the general name for these small coastal food fishes
harvestfish
vsbutterfish
  • US
9.9

A small Atlantic sea fish like a butterfish up to a foot long

is the wider term covering multiple species, not only that one
driftfish
vsbutterfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A fish that lives in warm ocean water near floating objects like jellyfish for protection

is the broad food fish group rather than a specific regional type
dollarfish
vsbutterfish
  • US
9.9

A small silvery flat fish like a butterfish that lives near the coast

is the particular coastal edible fish rather than the broader category
stromateid fish
vsbutterfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sea fish with a short, flat body and weak spines

is the specific coastal edible member rather than the full family grouping

Surface Forms

butterfish singular
butterfish plural

Morphology

butterfish = butter + fish (transparent) = butter + fish

The compound is a straightforward noun combining 'butter' (a modifier) and 'fish' (the head), so the meaning 'a type of fish associated with butteriness or slipperiness' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Butterfish is named from butter because this small fish has soft, oily flesh that feels or tastes like 'butter', and fish simply means a fish, so the name helps you remember it is a tender sea fish often eaten.