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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Shrimp catcher

Shrimp \Shrimp\, n. [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See Shrimp, v.]

  1. (Zo["o]l.)

    1. 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.

    2. In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe Caridea, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form.

    3. 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. (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.