gill1

 
Pronunciation: /gɪl/

noun

(often gills)
  • 1the paired respiratory organ of fish and some amphibians, by which oxygen is extracted from water flowing over surfaces within or attached to the walls of the pharynx.
  • an organ in an invertebrate animal with a similar function to gills in fish and amphibians.
  • 2the vertical plates arranged radially on the underside of mushrooms and many toadstools.
  • 3the wattles or dewlap of a domestic fowl.

verb

[with object]
  • 1gut or clean (a fish).
  • 2catch (a fish) in a gill net.

Phrases

green about (or around or at) the gills

(of a person) looking or feeling ill or nauseous.

to the gills

until completely full.

Derivatives

gilled

adjective
[in combination]: a six-gilled shark

Origin:

Middle English: from Old Norse