klipfish

noun

klip·​fish
variants or clipfish
ˈklipˌfish
1
: a fish (as cod) split open, salted, and dried
2
: a fish of the family Clinidae : kelpfish

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, past translation of Danish klipfisk, Norwegian klippfisk & German klippfisch; Danish & Norwegian, probably from German, from klippe rock near the sea, cliff + fisch fish; in sense 2, partial translation of Afrikaans klipvis, from klip rock, stone (from Middle Dutch klippe) + vis fish; akin to Old English clif cliff

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Dictionary Entries Near klipfish

Cite this Entry

“Klipfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/klipfish. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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