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Glite Dictionary
whiting

whiting

3 6.8
A small silvery sea fish that people eat
  • noun
  • /ˈwaɪtɪŋ/
translation icon : merluza
  • Average weight and length of mature whiting are 1 kg and 52 cm, respectively (Alverson and Larkins, 1969).
  • Pacific whiting
  • whiting and flounder
  • whiting fishery

Examples

  • The area's leading finfish species in landings and value, respectively, were silver hake (whiting) and summer flounder (fluke).

    Academic text (1990)

  • One is Pacific whiting, Merluccius productus, available on the Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.

    Academic text (1993)

  • We'll search for passenger whiting.

    The Favor (1994)

  • What, did you come down from Connecticut just to buy some whiting?

    Clockers (1995)

  • Oh, that would be a lovely whiting with breadcrumbs.

    High Spirits (1988)

  • Debbie hooked a whiting across its spine and dropped it in.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • In central California offshore waters, Pacific whiting, rockfish, market squid, and herring dominate the diet.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The chef prepared a delicious whiting fillet, seasoned with herbs and lemon.

  • For dinner, we enjoyed grilled whiting served with a side of vegetables.

  • Many fishermen in the region catch whiting for its mild flavor and flaky texture.

Synonyms

Merlangus merlangus
vswhiting
  • Specialized
9.9

A small edible fish like a cod that lives in the North Atlantic

is the general small silvery Atlantic food fish rather than a single species
silver whiting
vswhiting
  • US
7.9

A silvery sea fish found along the southern United States coasts that people catch to eat

is a wider small silvery Atlantic food fish found in North America Europe Australia
Gadus merlangus
vswhiting
  • Specialized
9.9

A small white fish like a cod that people eat off northern European coasts

is the general small silvery Atlantic food fish not defined by resembling cod

Compounds

king whiting
  • US
7.4

A fish often eaten that lives off the southeast coast of North America

northern whiting
  • Specialized
8.8

A small saltwater fish with white flaky meat found off the US east coast

silver whiting
  • US
7.9

A silvery sea fish found along the southern United States coasts that people catch to eat

Surface Forms

whiting singular
whitings plural

Morphology

whiting = white (semi-transparent) = white + ing

The name is historically formed from 'white' plus a diminutive/nominal suffix; the colour connection is visible but the noun as a specific fish is not a productive modern derivation.

Etymology

The word whiting comes from Old English and originally meant 'little white one', made from white and the small ending -ing. So the name points to the fish's pale, silvery color.