Definition of CRAWFISH

crawfish

Plural: crawfish, crawfishes

Noun

  • tiny lobster-like crustaceans usually boiled briefly
  • small freshwater decapod crustacean that resembles a lobster
  • large edible marine crustacean having a spiny carapace but lacking the large pincers of true lobsters
  • Any of various freshwater crustaceans: crayfish.
  • Any of various marine crustaceans, rock lobster; especially Jasus lalandii, the Cape crawfish.
  • An English-Canadian. Used in some corners of Quebec (including the Gaspé).

Verb

Verb Forms: crawfished, crawfishing, crawfishes

  • To retreat from a position or commitment.
  • make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
    • "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him"
  • To fish for crawfish.
  • To backpedal, desert or withdraw (also used with out).

Examples

  • He wanted to challenge my word, but decided to crawfish at the last second.

Origin / Etymology

1620s, folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Old French crevice (French écrevisse), influenced by fish. Compare crayfish.

Synonyms

back away, back out, crawdad, crawdaddy, crawfish out, crayfish, ecrevisse, langouste, pull back, pull in one's horns, retreat, rock lobster, sea crawfish, spiny lobster, withdraw, crawldad, crawlfish, mudbug, yabby

Scrabble Score: 19

crawfish: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
crawfish: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
crawfish: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

crawfish: valid Words With Friends Word