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DictionaryplaiceFlatfish
noun

plaice

PLAYS/pleɪs/

A European flatfish eaten as food.

The plaice has a flat body, orange spots, and eyes on one side.

A single European plaice seen from its eyed upper side, showing its broad flattened body, characteristic orange spots, and both eyes on the right side of its head.
Etymology
plaiceLatinplaice, flatfish

Latin platessa named the same kind of flatfish. It may be connected with Greek platys, “broad, flat,” which would describe the fish’s flattened body.

In context

THE EASTBOURNE FISHERMAN0:31
With a plaice, they are diamond shaped, smooth, either olive, brown, brown or dark brown in color. They're covered in bright orange spots
How To Catch Plaice From The Shore In The UK | UK Sea Fishing Guide For Beginners

More examples

  • Plaice live on sandy seabeds in European coastal waters.
  • Orange spots help distinguish plaice from many other flatfish.
  • She buys two plaice for tonight's dinner.

Forms

plaice · plaices

Similar words

flounder
Names a broader group of flatfish, not just this European species.
sole
Another food flatfish, typically narrower and lacking plaice's orange spots.