- whiting
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whiting1
/hwuy"ting, wuy"-/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) whiting, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) whitings.1. a slender food fish of the genus Menticirrhus, of the croaker family, inhabiting waters along the Atlantic coast of North America.2. the hake, Merluccius bilinearis.3. any of several European fishes of the cod family, esp. Merlangus merlangus.[1400-50; late ME, perh. alter. of OE hwitling kind of fish; cf. MD witinc, of which the E may be a trans.]whiting2/hwuy"ting, wuy"-/, n.pure-white chalk (calcium carbonate) that has been ground and washed, used in making putty, whitewash, silver polish, etc.[1400-50; late ME; cf. OE hwiting-, in hwitingmelu; see MEAL2. See WHITE, -ING1]
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Species (Merlangius merlangus) of common marine food fish of the cod family (Gadidae), found in European waters and especially abundant in the North Sea.It feeds on invertebrates and small fishes. It has three dorsal and two anal fins; a chin barbel (a slender, fleshy feeler), if present, is very small. Whitings grow to less than 30 in. (70 cm) long. They are silvery, with a distinctive black blotch near the base of each pectoral fin. Several species of the family Sciaenidae are also called whiting. See also whitefish.* * *
▪ fish(species Gadus, or Merlangius, merlangus), common marine food fish of the cod family, Gadidae. The whiting is found in European waters and is especially abundant in the North Sea. It is carnivorous and feeds on invertebrates and small fishes. It has three dorsal and two anal fins and a chin barbel that, if present, is very small. Its maximum length is about 70 cm (28 inches), and its colour is silvery with a distinctive black blotch near the base of each pectoral fin. Several species of the drum, or croaker, family (Sciaenidae) are also called whiting, among them the northern kingfish (Menticirrhus saxatilis).* * *
Universalium. 2010.
