Dictionary

weakfish en · NOUN

Etymology

Calque from Dutch weekvis, weekvisch (“weakfish”), equivalent to weak + fish, because of its tender mouth.

Meanings

1. Any of several species of game fish, of the genus Cynoscion, found in North American waters.
   • Larger fish tend to migrate farther north than smaller ones; thus, the New England weakfish fishery may possess a higher percentage of large individuals than is characteristic of the coastwide fishery. Weakfish tend to move about in schools of similar-sized individuals. 1991, Michael R. Ross, Recreational Fisheries of Coastal New England, page 194:
   • The weakfish is referred to as a gray trout from Maryland south, mainly to separate it from the spotted seatrout (p. 36), which is found in the southern portion of the weakfish’s range. Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) look very much like a freshwater trout, although they exhibit few characteristics of this species. 2001, “Inshore Salt Water Fishing: Learn from the Experts at Salt Water Magazine”, in Salt Water Sportsman, page 90:
   • The weakfish is also a member of the Sciaenidae family, and its name refers to the tender, easily torn membrane in the fish's mouth, not its fighting ability. 2009, Ken Schultz, Ken Schultz's Essentials of Fishing, page 73:
   • Weakfishes have no adipose fin, such as fresh-water trouts possess:[…]. 1962, International Oceanographic Foundation, Sea Secrets, volumes 6-8, page 2084:

Forms

Deriveds

weakfishing

Synonyms

squeteague

Translations (1)

pl kulbiniec (Cynoscion)