flatfish

[ flat-fish ]
/ ˈflætˌfɪʃ /

noun, plural (especially collectively) flat·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) flat·fish·es.

any fish of the order Heterosomata (Pleuronectiformes), including the halibut, sole, flounder, etc., having a greatly compressed body and swimming on one side, with both eyes on the upper side in the adult.

Origin of flatfish

First recorded in 1700–10; flat1 + fish

Words nearby flatfish

flatbed scanner, flatboat, flatbread, flatcar, flatette, flatfish, flatfoot, flatfooted, flathead, flathead catfish, flatheaded apple tree borer

Example sentences from the Web for flatfish

British Dictionary definitions for flatfish

flatfish
/ (ˈflætˌfɪʃ) /

noun plural -fish or -fishes

any marine spiny-finned fish of the order Heterosomata, including the halibut, plaice, turbot, and sole, all of which (when adult) swim along the sea floor on one side of the body, which is highly compressed and has both eyes on the uppermost side