from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Minnow \Min"now\, n. [OE. menow, cf. AS. myne; also OE. menuse,
OF. menuise small fish; akin to E. minish, minute.] [Written
also {minow}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zool.) A small European fresh-water cyprinoid fish
({Phoxinus laevis}, formerly {Leuciscus phoxinus});
sometimes applied also to the young of larger kinds; --
called also {minim} and {minny}. The name is also applied
to several allied American species, of the genera
{Phoxinus}, {Notropis}, or {Minnilus}, and {Rhinichthys}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) Any of numerous small American cyprinodont fishes
of the genus {Fundulus}, and related genera. They live
both in fresh and in salt water. Called also {killifish},
{minny}, and {mummichog}.
[1913 Webster]