Saltfishes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A category of marine animals characterized by the presence of saltwater tolerance and several species commonly consumed as food; often found in various oceanic environments
2. Types of fish that thrive in saline waters, many of which are sought after for culinary use and sport fishing; they inhabit diverse ocean habitats
3. Species belonging to the group of fish adapted to life in salty waters, frequently harvested for consumption and available in a variety of marine ecosystems

Etymology: "Saltfishes" is the plural of "saltfish," a noun for fish that have been preserved by salting. The plural form is used for different species of marine fish treated this way, so that each kind can be counted separately. The word itself is a plain compound of "salt" and "fish," with no hidden sound change or borrowed detour. Its history is simply the history of its two parts, both of which have been part of English since the Old English period. Its meaning follows the older practice of preserving fish with salt, which was once a major way of keeping catches edible for long periods.

Synonyms: saltwater fish