The Collaborative International Dictionary
Shrimp \Shrimp\, n. [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See Shrimp, v.]
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(Zo["o]l.)
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.
In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe Caridea, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form.
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.
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Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in contempt.
This weak and writhled shrimp.
--Shak.Opossum shrimp. (Zo["o]l.) See under Opossum.
Spector shrimp, or Skeleton shrimp (Zo["o]l.), any slender amphipod crustacean of the genus Caprella and allied genera. See Illust. under L[ae]modopoda.
Shrimp catcher (Zo["o]l.), the little tern ( Sterna minuta).
Shrimp net, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net dragged over the fishing ground.
Usage examples of "shrimp net".
Others hovered above them, pointing, and one shirtless fellow slapped clumsily at the water with a long-handled shrimp net.
For a dress she's wearing what appears to be a shrimp net, through which two silver nipple rings are visible.
The traffic jam that turned into bedlam in Coconut Grove, then wheeling the Hog down a side street, the specterlike vision of the man draped in the shrimp net, then the plunge and crunching descent into the black, brackish water.
Even with his circular shrimp net, wading barefoot in the shallows, Lib beside him hopefully carrying a bucket, Randy could not net a shiner, bream, cat, or even mudfish.