leerfish, noun

/ˈlɪəfɪʃ/
Plurals:
unchanged.
Origin:
South African DutchShow more Partial translation of South African Dutch leer-visch (see leervis).
The garrick, Lichia amia.
1843 J.C. Chase Cape of G.H. 169Leer Fish...A species of Pike, affording considerable sport to the angler.
1902 J.D.F. Gilchrist in Trans. of S. Afr. Philological Soc. XI. iv. 217Probably the Cape Leer-fish was so named by the early Dutch sailors, who brought the name from the East Indies.
1930 C.L. Biden Sea-Angling Fishes 62Leerfish take up the coloration of the bottom — a power shared by the galjoen and dassie — hence in sandy places the silvery sheen is brilliant and..it has been mistaken for some strange visitor from its dark and almost black colour as seen against a rocky bottom.
1955 C. Horne Fisherman’s Eldorado 107Young leerfish which, on light outfits, will display traces of the courage and speed that have made the mature fish outstanding among the game fish of South Africa.
1971 S. Afr. Panorama Jan. 27The big fighting leerfish (garrick).
1971 Daily Dispatch 14 Sept. 20The flesh of the leerfish has an excellent taste.
1973 E. Prov. Herald 28 Nov. 37Out in the darkness came the unmistakable sound of a leerfish hurling itself in frenzy after its prey.
1982 S. Afr. Fishing Apr.–May 20The Eastern Province team decided to move into the warm green water off St Croix Island and look for big leerfish.
1983 Sunday Times 31 July 17She’s..livelier than a leerfish on a line.
1994 R. Simpson on Radio Algoa 23 JulyRobberg is teeming with marine life, with seals, sharks, and leerfish.
The garrick, Lichia amia.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

18431994

Browse Related Words

By Category

Fish
leerboom, nounn.leervis, nounn.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English