Shellfish

Definition

Shellfish refers to aquatic invertebrates with shells or shell-like exoskeletons that are harvested for food, including crustaceans and mollusks. The term is generally uncountable, though individual types are referred to as shellfish collectively.

Parts of Speech

• Noun (uncountable)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈʃɛlˌfɪʃ/
• Respelling: SHELL-fish

British English

• IPA: /ˈʃɛl.fɪʃ/
• Respelling: SHELL-fish

Etymology

Late Middle English: from shell + fish, originally used to distinguish bivalve mollusks and crustaceans from finned fish.

Derivatives

• shellfisher (noun)
• shellfishing (noun)

Synonyms

• crustaceans and mollusks (collective)
• seafood (broad category)

Antonyms

• finfish
• terrestrial food

Usage

"She ordered a platter of mixed shellfish at the seaside restaurant."

"Allergies to shellfish are among the most common food sensitivities."

Related Terms

• Crustacean: Aquatic arthropods such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.
• Mollusk: Invertebrates including clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops.
• Seafood: Edible aquatic animals and plants.
• Bivalve: Mollusks with two hinged shells.
• Shellfish allergy: An immune reaction to proteins in shellfish.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• Crustaceans harvested for food – such as shrimp, crab, lobster, and crayfish.
  • Example: "She grilled jumbo shellfish skewers over an open flame."
• Mollusks harvested for food – such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops.
  • Example: "Raw shellfish oysters are served on ice with lemon."
• Aquatic invertebrates distinguished from finned fish – emphasizing their hard exoskeletons or shells.
  • Example: "The chef prefers using fresh shellfish rather than frozen."