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gill

noun
/ɡɪl//d͡ʒɪl//ˈd͡ʒɪl/

Etymology

* As an English surname, converged from variants of Giles (sometimes through Dutch), Julian, and William. * As a northern English surname, from Middle English gil (“ravine, glen”), from Old Norse gil. The Old Norse is also a source of the Norwegian surname. * As an Irish and Scottish Gaelic surname, variant of McGill. * Also as an Irish surname, variant of Gall. * As a Jewish/Israeli given name, as well as surname, from Hebrew גיל (“joy”). * As a German surname, variant of Gilger. * As a Sikh Punjabi surname originating in India, from ਗਿੱਲ (gill, “moisture”).

  1. derived from גיל — “joy”
  2. derived from gil
  3. derived from gil — “ravine, glen”

Definitions

  1. A breathing organ of fish and other aquatic animals.

    • Fishes […] perform their respiration under water by the gills.

  2. A gill slit or gill cover.

    • Gill nets are designed to catch a fish by the gills.

  3. One of the radial folds on the underside of the cap of a mushroom, the surface of which…

    One of the radial folds on the underside of the cap of a mushroom, the surface of which bears the spore-producing organs.

  4. ›+ 24 more definitions

    1. The fleshy flap that hangs below the beak of a fowl

      The fleshy flap that hangs below the beak of a fowl; a wattle.

    2. The flesh under or about the chin

      The flesh under or about the chin; a wattle.

      • dropsy fills you to the gills

    3. One of the combs of closely ranged steel pins which divide the ribbons of flax fiber or…

      One of the combs of closely ranged steel pins which divide the ribbons of flax fiber or wool into fewer parallel filaments.

    4. To remove the gills from a fish as part of gutting and cleaning it.

      • She gutted and gilled the fish, then scaled it.

    5. To catch (a fish) in a gillnet.

      • Owing to the peculiar shape of the pompano and the relatively large mesh in the pompano gill nets, the fish are not caught by being actually gilled.
      • In cases of very heavy catches the nets may be hauled and stored with the fish still gilled. The fish would then be shaken out on return to the port.
      • The intention is to gill the fish, so they are usually scared into the net by rowing one boat into the middle of the net circle and banging the oars on the boat bottom or splashing the water.

    6. To be or become entangled in a gillnet.

      • Since the fine threads of the net usually are caught under the gill covers of the fish they are said to be "gilled."
      • Also, when fish gilled there wasn't as much extra twine to tangle in, so they were easier to release from the net.

    7. A drink measure for spirits and wine, approximately a quarter of a pint, but varying…

      A drink measure for spirits and wine, approximately a quarter of a pint, but varying regionally.

    8. A measuring jug holding a quarter or half a pint.

    9. A unit of measure equal to 4 US fluid ounces (half a cup, a quarter of a US pint),…

      A unit of measure equal to 4 US fluid ounces (half a cup, a quarter of a US pint), approximately 118 milliliters.

    10. A rivulet, small stream.

    11. A ravine.

    12. A two-wheeled frame for transporting timber.

    13. Alternative form of jill (“a female ferret”).

    14. A promiscuous woman

      A promiscuous woman; harlot, wanton.

    15. A prostitute.

      • Gill comes from the Knight, that did so seek / To gaine her love; she's hir'd for a week.

    16. To act as a prostitute.

      • Comme proprement le fine of my Designs dey make; / Dam gilling Whore / Et Louis d'or

    17. A Scottish and Northern English habitational surname from Old Norse for someone who lived…

      A Scottish and Northern English habitational surname from Old Norse for someone who lived near a gill.

    18. A Scottish and Irish surname from Scottish Gaelic [in turn originating as a patronymic],…

      A Scottish and Irish surname from Scottish Gaelic [in turn originating as a patronymic], an alternate anglicization of Mac an Ghoill (McGill).

    19. A diminutive of the male given names Giles, Julian, or William, of medieval usage.

    20. A diminutive of the female given name Gillian, variant of Jill.

      • each Jack with his Gill

    21. A male given name transferred from the surname, of modern usage.

    22. A locale in the United States

      A locale in the United States:

    23. A surname from Punjabi from ਗਿੱਲ (gilla).

    24. Someone connected with Gillingham Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.

The neighborhood

Derived

bluegill, book gill, brittlegill, gill arch, gill bailer, gillless, gill raker, gill trama, grease one's gills, green about the gills, green gill, greengill, pinkgill, rosegill, rustgill, sevengill, sixgill, to the gills, gill-ale, gillhouse, gillie, Lowgill, Low Gill, Rowlands Gill, flirt-gill, gill-over-the-ground

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for gill. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA