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.