Garrick

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An actor known for his significant contributions to the theatrical arts, particularly in the 18th century
2. A prominent English actor and playwright who revolutionized performance styles and actor training in his era
3. A figure in drama celebrated for both his talent on stage and innovations that shaped modern acting techniques

Etymology: Garrick is another name for the leerfish, a game fish of southern Africa. Its name comes from Afrikaans, where "leervis" joins "leer," meaning leather, and "vis," meaning fish. The fish was probably named for its smooth, tough-looking skin. The English word is only a partial calque of the Afrikaans. English speakers kept the "leer" idea in translation but replaced the "vis" element with a different name, so the English word reproduces the Afrikaans meaning in part rather than word for word.