First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1gill
noun \ˈjil\
Definition of GILL
— see weight table
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Origin of GILL
Middle English gille, from Medieval Latin gillus, from Late Latin gillo, gello water pot
2gill
noun \ˈgil\
Definition of GILL
1
: an organ (as of a fish) for obtaining oxygen from water
2
a : 3wattle b : the flesh under or about the chin or jaws —usually used in plural c : one of the radiating plates forming the undersurface of the cap of a mushroom fungus
— gilled \ˈgild\ adjective
— to the gills
: as full or as much as possible <a suitcase packed to the gills>
Origin of GILL
Middle English gile, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish gäl gill, Old Norse gjǫlnar lips; akin to Greek chelynē lip, jawbone
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Anatomy Terms
3gill
verb \ˈgil\
Definition of GILL
transitive verb
: gillnet
intransitive verb
of fish : to become entangled in a gill net
— gill·er noun
First Known Use of GILL
1884
4gill
noun \ˈgil\
Definition of GILL
1
British : ravine
2
British : a narrow stream or rivulet
Origin of GILL
Middle English gille, from Old Norse gil; akin to Old High German gil hernia
First Known Use: 14th century
5gill
noun, often capitalized \ˈjil\
Definition of GILL
: girl, sweetheart
Origin of GILL
Middle English, from Gill, nickname for Gillian
First Known Use: 15th century
GILL[1] Defined for Kids
1gill
noun \ˈjil\
Definition of GILL for Kids
: a unit of liquid capacity equal to a quarter of a pint (about 120 milliliters)
2gill
noun \ˈgil\
Definition of GILL for Kids
: an organ (as of a fish) for taking oxygen from water
Learn More About GILL
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