halibut
noun
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Among the different kinds of fish found in the world’s oceans is a group called the flatfish. Flatfish are well named, for they have flattened bodies with both eyes on the upper side of the head. In Middle English the word for flatfish was butte. During the Middle Ages, fish was often eaten on holy days in place of meat. The most popular fish for the holy days was the largest variety of flatfish, or “butte.” Thus, this particular fish came to be called in Middle English halybutte, meaning literally “holy flatfish,” from haly, a form of holy, and butte. In modern English the spelling has been changed to halibut.
Examples of halibut in a Sentence
Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
For the seafood lover: Reserve a spot at Fog Harbor Fish House and try their crab ravioli, halibut with lobster cream sauce, mussel fries and more.
—Shawna Chen, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
Narwhals usually feed on deep-sea animals, such as squid or halibut.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
The star of the show here is their steamed halibut, served with leek fondue and a seaweed beurre blanc, which melts in the mouth, though vegetarians and meat lovers both have plenty to delight in.
—Lela London, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Halibut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halibut. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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halibut
noun
Middle English halybutte, literally, "holy flatfish," from haly "holy" and butte "flatfish"; so called from the fact it was regularly eaten on holy days
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