eeln.
/iːl/, U.S. /il/ 1. † d. salt eel: a rope's end used for flogging. Obsolete. [ < the use of an eel skin as a whip.]
a. The name of a genus ( Anguilla) of soft-finned osseous fishes, strongly resembling snakes in external appearance. The best known species are the Common or Sharp-nosed Eel ( A. anguilla) found both in Europe and in America, and the Broad-nosed Eel or grig n.1 ( A. latirostris). The true eels are freshwater fishes, but migrate to the sea to spawn.
b. Used (both in popular and in scientific language) as the name of the entire family Murænidæ, comprising the true eels with several other genera, notably the conger n.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > class Osteichthyes or Teleostomi > subclass Actinopterygii > subdivision Teleostei > [noun] > order Anguilliformes > member of family Muraenidae (eel)
eelc1000
moray1624
mudworm1700
muraena1753
morene1773
muraenoid1849
warper1901
c1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 94 Hwilce fixas gefehst þu? Ælas and hacodas, etc.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 308 Hrefnes geallan..& eles, & feld beon hunig meng to somne.
1052–67 Chart. Eadweard in Cod. Dipl. IV. 242 Foure þousend eol in lenton to carite to ðe abbot.
a1300 Havelok 897 A carte lode..Of grete laumprees, and of eles.
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 625 Anguilla, neele.
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 50 Fyrst flyghe þyn elys, in pese hom smyte.
1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. (1557) 165/2 A blynde bagge full of snakes and eles together.
1528 T. Paynell tr. Arnaldus de Villa Nova in Joannes de Mediolano Regimen Sanitatis Salerni sig. O iij b The yele is an vnholsome fyshe.
1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health clxxvi. 141 An olde Yeele is wholesomer than a yong.
a1625 in Eng. Hist. Rev. Jan. (1915) 25 Some of the yeales being worth 2s. a peece.
1671 W. Salmon Synopsis Medicinæ iii. lxxxi. 707 The fat..of a mole, eele, or serpent.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 538. ¶3 They pass'd to Eels, then to Parsnips, and so from one Aversion to another.
1803 W. Bingley Animal Biogr. III. 110 The Common Eel forms evidently a connecting link..between the Serpent tribe and the Fishes.
1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt I. i. 53 It is a lucky eel that escapes skinning.
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxi. 237 The silver-bellied eel or bed-eel..corresponds to the sharp-nosed eel.
c. In figurative phrases, as the type of something ‘slippery’.
ΚΠ
1524 Duke of Norfolk in State Papers Henry VIII (1836) IV. 224 Whosoever have hym best, is no more sure of hym, than he that hath an ele by the tayle.
c1604 Charlemagne (1938) v. 99 They haue sweete eeles to hould by.
1791 ‘T. Newte’ Prospects & Observ. Tour 374 He may possibly take an eel by the tail in marrying a wife.
ΚΠ
1663 S. Pepys Diary 24 Apr. (1971) IV. 109 With my salt Eele went down in the parler, and there got my boy and did beat him.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Salt-eel, a Rope's end used to Drub the Boies and Sailors on board of Ship.
2. Applied popularly to various other fishes resembling eels in their snake-like form. electric eel: see as main entry; nine-eyed eel: the River Lamprey. sand eel: the Launce of Ammodyte.
ΚΠ
a1705 J. Ray Synopsis Avium & Piscium (1713) ii. 154 Sand-eel [Given as a synonym for the launce].
1811 P. Neill in Mem. Wernerian Nat. Hist. Soc. 1 555 Lesser Lamprey... The popular name Nine-eyed-eel arises from the spiracles being taken for eyes.
3. The popular name for the minute animals (resembling an eel in shape) found in vinegar ( Anguillula aceti) and in sour paste ( A. glutinis). They are Entozoa of the order Nematoidea.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > phylum Nemathelminthes > [noun] > class Nematoda > family Anguillulidae > member of genus Angillula
eel1746
paste eel1750
vinegar-eel1836
vinegar worm1896
1746 J. Sherwood in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 44 67 The Eels in sour Paste are the Animalcules in Question.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. (at cited word) The long bodied animalcules, discovered by the microscope in vinegar, sour paste, etc...have been generally distinguished..by the name of eels.
1856 W. B. Carpenter Microscope xv. 622 Anguillulæ or ‘eels’ of the Microscopist.
4. U.S. A nickname for a New Englander.
ΚΠ
1837–40 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker (1862) 318 The eels of New England and the corncrakers of Virginia.
Compounds
C1. General combinations:
a. Attributive.
(a)
eel-boat n.
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads vi. 43 These eel-boats are precisely like the Noah's ark of childhood.
eel-fishery n.
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxi. 235 The eel fisheries are nearly as valuable as the salmon fisheries.
eel-freak n.
ΚΠ
1882 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 101 This singular eel-freak.
eel-fry n.
ΚΠ
1882 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 101 Thousands and thousands of eel-fry all alive in the bodies of eels.
eel-line n.
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xix. 137 Formerly eel-lines, with a thousand hooks strung on at intervals..used to be set.
eel-man n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fisher > [noun] > for eels
eeler1851
sticherer1872
bobber1882
eel-fisher1883
eel-man1883
eel-picker1883
eel-spearer1883
picker1885
sun-spearer1885
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxii. 251 The eelmen, living so much on the water..become very observant.
eel-net n.
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xix. 145 The eel-net is set across the dyke to catch them [eels] in its long ‘poke’.
eel-oil n.
eel-pie n.
ΚΠ
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper v. 137 An Eel Pye.
a1843 R. Southey Common-place Bk. (1849) 2nd Ser. 340/1 Monstrellet mentions horseloads of eel-pies brought from Mantes to the market of Paris.
1872 C. S. Calverley Fly Leaves 21 But I shrink from thee, Arab! Thou eat'st eel-pie.
eel-river n.
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxii. 249 The Yare is the best eel-river of all.
eel-trap n.
ΚΠ
1879 J. Lubbock Sci. Lect. i. 5 The bladders are on the principle of an eel-trap, having a closed entrance with a flap which permits an easy entrance, but effectually prevents the unfortunate victim from getting out again.
eel-weir n.
ΚΠ
1868 W. Peard Pract. Water-farming xvii. 180 At various points in the course of the rivers eel-weirs are placed.
(b)
eel-like adj. and adv.
ΚΠ
1685 R. Boyle Ess. Effects of Motion iv. 41 The Eel-like particles of water.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist I. vii. 103 Eel-like positions.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust I. i. iii. 33 Eel-like gliding, Skipping and hiding.
b. Objective.
eel-catching n.
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxi. 237 Naturalists can only rely upon the observations of those whose occupation is connected with eel-catching.
eel-fisher n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fisher > [noun] > for eels
eeler1851
sticherer1872
bobber1882
eel-fisher1883
eel-man1883
eel-picker1883
eel-spearer1883
picker1885
sun-spearer1885
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads vi. 43 Through the night the eel-fisher sits in his cabin..waiting for the eels the stream will bring to his net.
eel-netting n.
C2. Special combinations. Also eel-grass n.
eel-bobber n. (also eel-babber) = bobber n.1 2.
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxi. 237 The bunch of worms strung on worsted with which the eel-babber works.
eel-basket n. a trap of basket-work with funnel-shaped entrance, allowing the eels to enter, but preventing their escape.
ΚΠ
1883 Official Catal. Internat. Fisheries Exhib. (ed. 4) 125 Eel Putchons..are the ordinary eel baskets that are baited and placed in the river during the spring and summer months for eels.
eel-back n. U.S. (see quot.)
ΚΠ
1884 G. B. Goode Nat. Hist. Aquatic Animals 183 The Smooth Flounder,..Pleuronectes glaber,..may be distinguished from the former [sc. the Flat Fish] by its smooth skin, which has given to the species, in some localities, the name ‘Eel-back’.
eel-backed adj. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1717 Dict. Rusticum (ed. 2) Eel-Back'd Horses, such as have black Lists along their Backs.
eel-bob n. (see bob n.1 7).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > means of attracting fish > [noun] > bait > bait for eels
bob1648
blob1874
eel-bob1883
1883 Great Internat. Fisheries Exhib. Catal. 196 Hand-lines..snares and eel-bobs; Indian fishing lines.
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads v. 40 An eel-fisher..treading lob-worms on to worsted for the purpose of making an eel-bob.
eel-buck n. (see buck n.4).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fish-trap > [noun] > trap for eels
eel-set157.
kill1630
eel-pot1631
buck1694
burrock1701
grig-weel1798
hinaki1845
eel-buck1866
eel-putchon1883
eel-weel1883
1866 Sat. Rev. 21 Apr. 471/1 The present alleged fishery rights for netting and eel-bucks are to be revised.
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxi. 235 On the Thames..the eels are intercepted in their descent by weirs or frameworks holding basket-work traps, called ‘eel-bucks’.
1885 Sat. Rev. 21 Nov. 673/1 Snigs are only taken in the eel-bucks if they are set with the stream.
eel-cake n. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > other prepared foods or dishes > [noun]
mawmenny1381
browet Saracen?c1390
corat?c1390
lete lardes?c1390
lete lory?c1390
burseuc1400
lorey14..
Jack of Doverc1405
bukenadea1425
nesebeka1425
mosy?c1425
blaundsore1430
fauntemperec1430
irchinc1430
white sorréc1430
entraila1450
pasteladea1450
prenadec1450
fignadea1475
frianc1500
profiterole?1521
slampamp1593
flap-dragon1604
eel-cake1653
Lombard1657
hedgehog1723
bird's nest1769
dope18..
negro-pota1818
jug jug1877
King Henry's shoestrings1887
foam-omelet1892
crème1901
farofa1922
chilaquiles1938
metagee1957
Kiev1967
pani puri1969
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > preparation of seafood > [noun] > method of dressing eel
spitchcock1597
eel-cake1653
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler x. 189 Small Eeles..The poorer sort..make a kind of Eele-cake of them, and eat it like as bread. View more context for this quotation
eel-cat n. a channel catfish, Ictalurus anguilla or I. punctatus.
ΚΠ
1898 D. S. Jordan & B. W. Evermann Fishes N. & Middle Amer. (Bull. U.S. National Mus. No. 47) iii. 2789 The eel cat rarely attains a greater weight than 5 pounds.
eel-crow n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 213 Eel crow [given as the popular name of Columbus migratorius].
eel-fork n. = eel-spear n.
eel-hut n. the hut occupied by an eel-fisher when engaged in fishing.
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxii. 250 In these lonely eel-huts..the eel fishers sat watching their nets.
eel-leap n. [leap n.1 basket] dialect = eel-basket n.
ΚΠ
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. Eel-leap, an eel-trap made of wickerwork.
eel-pick n. = eel-spear n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > spear > [noun] > for eels
algerea1425
augera1425
elgerc1440
eel-spear1555
proking stick1598
pilgera1825
stang1847
sun spear1865
pick1875
prick1880–4
eel-pick1883
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxi. 238 They [eels] work down into the soft mud, far beyond the reach of eel-picks and darts.
eel-picker n. one who fishes with an eel-pick.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fisher > [noun] > for eels
eeler1851
sticherer1872
bobber1882
eel-fisher1883
eel-man1883
eel-picker1883
eel-spearer1883
picker1885
sun-spearer1885
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxvi. 203 The eel-picker in his little punt..is a common object on the flats.
eel-picking n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing for type of fish > [noun] > for eels in specific manner
bobbing1620
sniggling1661
pitching1674
eeling1780
sand-eeling1862
sun spearing1865
stichering1872
blobbing1877
eel-picking1883
eel-spearing1883
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xix. 143 Eel-picking is an art in which some men attain considerable skill. Sometimes an eel-picking match takes place on the Broad.
eel-pot n. = eel-buck n.; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fish-trap > [noun] > trap for eels
eel-set157.
kill1630
eel-pot1631
buck1694
burrock1701
grig-weel1798
hinaki1845
eel-buck1866
eel-putchon1883
eel-weel1883
1631 in T. Hutchinson Coll. Orig. Papers Massachusetts-Bay (1769) 51 The yeele potts you sent for are made.
1647 J. Eliot Let. 24 Sept. in T. Shepard Clear Sunshine (1648) 28 All winter they sell Brooms, Staves, Elepots, Baskets.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xvi. 143 Manchester Buildings is an eel-pot, which has no outlet but its awkward mouth.
1883 Great Internat. Fisheries Exhib. Catal. 8 Eel Pot, for use in salt water.
eel-putchon n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fish-trap > [noun] > trap for eels
eel-set157.
kill1630
eel-pot1631
buck1694
burrock1701
grig-weel1798
hinaki1845
eel-buck1866
eel-putchon1883
eel-weel1883
1883 Official Catal. Internat. Fisheries Exhib. (ed. 4) 125 Eel Putchons..are the ordinary eel baskets that are baited and placed in the river during the spring and summer months for eels.
eel-schuit n. an eel-boat.
ΚΠ
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 269 Dutch eel-skuyt, a flat-bottomed somewhat cutter-rigged sea-boat.
1899 Academy 18 Nov. 567/1 The Dutch eel schuyt is familiar to Londoners.
1905 M. A. Wyllie London to the Nore iv. 42 Gaily painted and varnished Dutch eel-schuits.
eel-set n. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fish-trap > [noun] > trap for eels
eel-set157.
kill1630
eel-pot1631
buck1694
burrock1701
grig-weel1798
hinaki1845
eel-buck1866
eel-putchon1883
eel-weel1883
157. H. Manship Great Yarmouth in G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxvii Certen ele settes..all soch fishe as usually are tacon in the seid settes.
1882 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 97 Eelsets..are nets set athwart the stream for the purpose of catching a..species of eel.
eel-setter n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1882 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 98 The oldest Norfolk eel-setters.
eel-setting n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1883 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxii. 250 This [ebb and flow of the tide] militates against eel-setting.
eel-trunk n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. Eel-trunk, a box with holes in the sides, in which eels are kept alive till wanted for the table.
eel-ware n. Ranunculus fluitans (Britten and Holland).
eel-weel n. (misspelt eel-wheel) = eel-buck n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fish-trap > [noun] > trap for eels
eel-set157.
kill1630
eel-pot1631
buck1694
burrock1701
grig-weel1798
hinaki1845
eel-buck1866
eel-putchon1883
eel-weel1883
1883 Great Internat. Fisheries Exhib. Catal. 57 Eel Wheels or Traps. Lampern Spurts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
eelv.
/iːl/, U.S. /il/ intransitive.
a. To fish for eels.
b. To move or progress sinuously like an eel. Also (with way) transitive. Cf. eeling n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > specific manner of progressive motion > move progressively in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > with sinuous or writhing motion
writhec1275
wriggle1602
squirm1759
worm1802
eel1922
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. x. [Wandering Rocks] 220 Five..sandwichmen..eeled themselves.
?1953 D. Thomas Let. in Sel. Lett. (1966) 416 I must..ooze and eel up wheezily.
1962 M. Drabble Summer Bird-cage xi. 185 I..use a small red plastic colander, and everything eels into the sink as often as not.
1969 Daily Tel. 17 Jan. (Colour Suppl.) 6 (advt.) The Herald 13/60..simply eels its way through town traffic.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1972; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.c1000
v.1922