shellfish

shellfish

(shĕl′fĭsh′)

n. pl. shellfish or shell·fishes

1. Any of various edible aquatic invertebrate animals having a shell, especially mollusks such as clams and oysters, and crustaceans such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimp.

2. An edible mollusk, in contrast to a crustacean: regulations concerning fish, crustaceans, and shellfish.

3. The edible flesh of such animals.

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shell′fish′ing n.

shellfish

(shel′fish″)

Any of a group of marine animals that include mollusks and crustaceans. Allergic reactions (urticaria, asthma, angioedema, anaphylaxis) to a wide variety of shellfish are among the most common causes of food allergy in humans.

shellfish

an aquatic animal having a shell; includes molluscs, e.g. oyster, and crustaceans, e.g. shrimp, lobster.

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paralytic shellfish poisoning

see paralytic shellfish poisoning.