gill
|gill|
B2
/ɡɪl/
having gills
Etymology
Etymology Information
'gill' originates from Old Norse, specifically the word 'gil,' where it referred to a ravine or narrow valley.
Historical Evolution
'gil' transformed into the Middle English word 'gille,' and eventually became the modern English word 'gill.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to a ravine, but over time it evolved to mean the respiratory organ of fish.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an organ found in fish and some amphibians that extracts oxygen from water.
Fish use their gills to breathe underwater.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a unit of liquid capacity equal to 1/4 pint or approximately 118 milliliters.
The recipe calls for a gill of milk.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to remove the gills from a fish.
The chef gilled the fish before cooking it.
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/04/25 14:16