fingerling

[fing-ger-ling]

noun

1. a young or small fish, especially a very small salmon or trout.

2. something very small.

adjective

1. small and elongated; shaped like a finger.

   fingerling potato;

   fingerling carrots.

fingerling

/ ˈfɪŋɡəlɪŋ /

noun

1. a very young fish, esp the parr of salmon or trout

2. a diminutive creature or object

Word History and Origins

Origin of fingerling¹

First recorded in 1400–50, and in 1825–30 fingerling for def. 2; late Middle English: literally, “covering for a finger, fingerstall”; finger, -ling ¹

Example Sentences

However, they are battling a species which reproduces at speed: females are able to produce 500 fingerlings at a time.

From BBC

At one point, it was able to hold 3 million fingerlings that were used to stock ponds, other hatcheries and nearby lakes.

From Los Angeles Times

As he talks about the fingerlings, he deftly nets a rare albino sturgeon, swimming in a tank with a thousand other fish and nearly impossible to see against the tank’s white backdrop.

From Seattle Times

If a road crossed a fish-bearing stream, the new standard required a crossing design that allowed fish to be able to pass through the culvert at every stage of life, including tiny fingerlings.

From Seattle Times

A much plainer, but no less intriguing, dish follows: banana fingerling potatoes encased in cocoons whipped up from egg whites, salt and huacatay, the Peruvian herb reminiscent of tarragon, mint and citrus.

From Washington Post