Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Shoal — Shoal, n. [AS. scolu, sceolu, a company, multitude, crowd, akin to OS. skola; probably originally, a division, and akin to Icel. skilja to part, divide. See {Skill}, and cf. {School}. of fishes.] A great multitude assembled; a crowd; a throng;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Shoal — Shoal, a. [Cf. {Shallow}; or cf. G. scholle a clod, glebe, OHG. scollo, scolla, prob. akin to E. shoal a multitude.] Having little depth; shallow; as, shoal water. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
shoal — [ʃəul US ʃoul] n [Sense: 1; Origin: Old English scolu large group ] [Sense: 2; Date: 1300 1400; Origin: shoal not deep (11 20 centuries), from Old English sceald] 1.) a large group of fish swimming together = ↑school shoal of … Dictionary of contemporary English
shoal — n Shoal, bank, reef, bar can all mean a shallow place in a body of water. In ordinary use Shoal is applied to a shallow place, especially one that is difficult to navigate {dangerous shoals in uncharted waters} Bank, often as the plural banks, is … New Dictionary of Synonyms
Shoal — Shoal, n. 1. A place where the water of a sea, lake, river, pond, etc., is shallow; a shallow. [1913 Webster] The depth of your pond should be six feet; and on the sides some shoals for the fish to lay their span. Mortimer. [1913 Webster] Wolsey … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
shoal — shoal; shoal·i·ness; shoal·ness; … English syllables
shoal — shoal1 [shōl] n. [via dial. < OE scolu, multitude, school of fish, akin to Du school < IE * skēl < base * (s)kel , to cut > SHIELD] 1. a large group; mass; crowd 2. a large school of fish vi. to come together in or move about as a… … English World dictionary
Shoal — Shoal, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Shoaled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shoaling}.] To assemble in a multitude; to throng; as, the fishes shoaled about the place. Chapman. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Shoal — Shoal, v. i. To become shallow; as, the color of the water shows where it shoals. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Shoal — Shoal, v. t. To cause to become more shallow; to come to a more shallow part of; as, a ship shoals her water by advancing into that which is less deep. Marryat. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
shoal — Ⅰ. shoal [1] ► NOUN 1) a large number of fish swimming together. 2) informal, chiefly Brit. a large number of people. ► VERB ▪ (of fish) form shoals. ORIGIN probably from Dutch sch le troop … English terms dictionary
