gill
respiratory organ / liquid measure
[C/U] Both
pl: gills
The biological sense describes a specialized filter system, evoking images of rhythmic pulsing and the vital connection between an organism and its liquid environment. It is a technical term used in science but common in general descriptions of marine life.
In the measurement sense, the term is largely archaic or restricted to specific regional culinary and alcoholic contexts, particularly in older British texts. It carries a nostalgic, old-world feeling of traditional pub measures rather than modern precision.
Countable when referring to the physical organs on a fish. Uncountable when used as a unit of liquid measure.
Meanings
Examples
A shark has gills.