gill
UK: ɡɪl | US: ɡɪl
n. the respiratory organ of aquatic animals, such as fish
n. a unit of liquid measure equal to a quarter of a pint (chiefly British)
n. a narrow ravine or stream (archaic)
The word "gill" traces back to Old Norse gjǫlnar, referring to the respiratory organs of fish. Its spelling and meaning remained largely unchanged in Middle English. The unrelated sense of "liquid measure" derives from Old French gille, while the archaic "ravine" meaning stems from Old English gil. Despite homonymy, these are distinct etymological roots.
Fish extract oxygen from water through their gills.
The recipe calls for a gill of milk.
They followed the path along the rocky gill.
The trout's gills flared as it struggled.
In medieval markets, ale was often sold by the gill.