'prawns' definitions:

Definition of 'prawns'

From: GCIDE
  • Shrimp \Shrimp\, n. [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See Shrimp, v.]
  • 1. (Zool.) (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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in contempt. [1913 Webster]
  • This weak and writhled shrimp. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Opossum shrimp. (Zool.) See under Opossum.
  • Spector shrimp, or Skeleton shrimp (Zool.), any slender amphipod crustacean of the genus Caprella and allied genera. See Illust. under Laemodopoda.
  • Shrimp catcher (Zool.), the little tern (Sterna minuta).
  • Shrimp net, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net dragged over the fishing ground. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'prawns'