halibut

Meaning

A large flatfish of the genus Hippoglossus, which sometimes leaves the ocean floor and swims vertically.

Synonyms

holibut

Atlantic halibut

plaice

butterfish

pomfret

Chinese pomfret

black batfish

black pompano

blue skate

brown pomfret

false butterfish

bib

black pomfret

flounder

Translations

flétan

Heilbutt

heilbot

ippoglosso

fletán

elbot

halibut

halibut

hipoglosso

alabote-do-atlântico

fletan

هلبوت

hipogloso

Pleuronectidae

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhæ.lɪ.bət/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: *halibutt

Cognate with Dutch: heilbot

Cognate with German: Heiligbutt

Cognate with Danish: helleflynder

Cognate with Swedish: helgeflundra

In summary

From Middle English *halibutt, equivalent to holy + but (“flatfish”), since the fish was often eaten on holy days. Compare Dutch heilbot, German Heiligbutt, Heilbutt, Heilbutte. Compare also Danish helleflynder, Swedish helgeflundra and Norwegian Nynorsk hellefisk.