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Webster 1913 Edition

Shrimp

Shrimp

,
Verb.
T.
[Cf. AS.
scrimman
to dry up, wither, MHG.
schrimpfen
to shrink, G.
schrumpfen
, Dan.
skrumpe
,
skrumpes
, Da. & Sw.
skrumpen
shriveled. Cf.
Scrimp
,
Shrink
,
Shrivel
.]
To contract; to shrink.
[Obs.]

Shrimp

,
Noun.
[OE.
shrimp
; – probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See
Shrimp
,
Verb.
]
1.
(Zool.)
(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
.
Shakespeare
Opossum shrimp
.
(Zool.)
See under
Opossum
.
–
Spector shrimp
, or
Skeleton shrimp
(Zool.)
,
any slender amphipod crustacean of the genus
Caprella
and allied genera. See Illust. under
Laemodopoda
.
–
Shrimp catcher
(Zool.)
,
the little tern (
Sterna minuta
).
–
Shrimp net
,
a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net dragged over the fishing ground.

Webster 1828 Edition

Shrimp

SHRIMP

,
Verb.
T.
To contract. [Not in use.]

SHRIMP

,
Noun.
[supra.]
1. A crustaceous animal of the genus Cancer. It has long slender feelers, claws with a single, hooked fang, and three pair of legs. It is esteemed delicious food.
2. A little wrinkled man; a dwarf; in contempt.

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