Pickerels

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of freshwater fish belonging to the family Esocidae, known for their elongated bodies and sharp teeth
2. Often characterized by their predatory nature and resemblance to pike, commonly found in North American waters
3. A popular game fish sought after by anglers for their fighting ability and tender flesh

Etymology: "Pickerels" is simply the plural of "pickerel," a small freshwater fish, so the plural is the form of the word's origin. The singular goes back to Middle English "pikerel," which is built from "pike," the larger predatory fish it resembles, plus "-rel," a diminutive suffix. The name therefore amounts to "little pike," a neat description of a fish that looks like its bigger cousin on a smaller scale.

Synonyms: pike, fish