Category:Shrimp

Shrimp, v. t. Etym: [cf. As. scrimman to dry up, wither, mhg. Schrimpfen to shrink, g. schrumpfen, dan. skrumpe, skrumpes, da. & Sw. skrumpen shriveled. Cf. Scrimp, shrink, shrivel.]

Defn: to contract; to shrink. [obs.]

Shrimp Shrimp, n. Etym: [oe. shrimp; -- probably so named from its shriveled Appearance. See shrimp, v.]

1. (zoöl.) (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.

2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in contempt. This weak and writhled shrimp. Shak. Opossum shrimp. (zoöl.) See under opossum. -- spector shrimp, or skeleton shrimp (zoöl.), any slender amphipod Crustacean of the genus caprella and allied genera. See illust. under Læmodopoda. -- shrimp catcher (zoöl.), the little tern (sterna minuta). -- shrimp net, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net Dragged over the fishing ground.