roach

UK: rəʊtʃ | US: roʊtʃ

Definition

  1. n. a common name for certain insects, especially the cockroach

  2. n. (archaic) a freshwater fish of the carp family

  3. vt. (slang) to cut or trim the tail of an animal (e.g., a horse or dog)

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word "roach" has dual origins:

  1. For the insect: Derived from the Spanish "cucaracha," which entered English in the 17th century and was shortened colloquially to "roach." The Spanish term likely originated as an onomatopoeic imitation of the insect's scurrying sound.
  2. For the fish: Traced to Old French "roche" (a rock-dwelling fish), from Late Latin "rocca" (rock), reflecting the fish's habitat. The slang verb form (to trim) emerged in the 19th century, possibly influenced by the fish's truncated tail shape.
Examples

  1. A roach scurried across the kitchen floor when I turned on the light.

  2. Anglers often catch roach in European freshwater lakes.

  3. The groom roached the horse’s mane for a sleeker appearance.

  4. She screamed upon finding a roach in her cereal box.

  5. In medieval recipes, roach was sometimes salted and preserved.