gill

1. 1

   A breathing organ of fish and other aquatic animals.

   • Fishes […] perform their respiration under water by the gills.
2. 2

   A gill slit or gill cover.

   • Gill nets are designed to catch a fish by the gills.
3. 3

   One of the radial folds on the underside of the cap of a mushroom, the surface of which bears the spore-producing organs.

4. 4

   The fleshy flap that hangs below the beak of a fowl; a wattle.

5. 5

   The flesh under or about the chin; a wattle.figuratively

   • dropsy fills you to the gills
6. 6

   One of the combs of closely ranged steel pins which divide the ribbons of flax fiber or wool into fewer parallel filaments.

syn. branchia

1. 1

   To remove the gills from a fish as part of gutting and cleaning it.

   • She gutted and gilled the fish, then scaled it.
2. 2

   To catch (a fish) in a gillnet.transitive

   • In cases of very heavy catches the nets may be hauled and stored with the fish still gilled. The fish would then be shaken out on return to the port.
3. 3

   To be or become entangled in a gillnet.intransitive

   • Since the fine threads of the net usually are caught under the gill covers of the fish they are said to be "gilled."
   • Also, when fish gilled there wasn't as much extra twine to tangle in, so they were easier to release from the net.

1. 1

   Any of several units of volume, most of which are a quarter of a pint or near to that amount.; A drink measure for spirits and wine, a quarter of an imperial pint or near to that amount, but varying regionally.

2. 2

   Any of several units of volume, most of which are a quarter of a pint or near to that amount.; A unit of measure equal to 4 US fluid ounces (half a cup, a quarter of a US pint), approximately 118 milliliters.USdated

3. 3

   A measuring jug holding a quarter or half a pint.UKarchaic

1. 1

   A rivulet, small stream.UK

2. 2

   A ravine.UK

1. 1

   A two-wheeled frame for transporting timber.

1. 1

   Alternative form of jill (“a female ferret”).alt-ofalternative

2. 2

   A promiscuous woman; harlot, wanton.obsolete

3. 3

   A prostitute.obsolete

   • Gill comes from the Knight, that did so seek / To gaine her love; she's hir'd for a week.
4. 4

   gill-over-the-ground: ground ivy.obsolete

5. 5

   gill-ale: an ale made with ground ivy among its ingredients.obsolete

1. 1

   To act as a prostitute.obsolete

   • Comme proprement le fine of my Designs dey make; / Dam gilling Whore / Et Louis d'or