trawl
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Related to trawl: trawl net
trawl
(trôl)n.
1. A trawl net.
2. See setline.
3.
a. An act of trawling, as for fish.
b. An act of searching for or examining something: A trawl of local records produced some leads.
v. trawled, trawl·ing, trawls
v.tr.
1. To catch (fish) with a trawl.
2. To fish (an area) with a trawl.
3.
a. To search (an area) or go to (different places) in search of something: trawled the shops for a bargain.
b. To make an examination of something: trawled the archives for a manuscript.
v.intr.
1. To fish with a trawl.
2. To troll.
3.
a. To search for or try to acquire something: a contractor trawling for day laborers.
b. To make an examination of something: trawling through a writer's papers.
[Possibly Middle English trawelle, perhaps from Middle Dutch tragel, dragnet, possibly from Latin trāgula, from trahere, to drag. V. tr., sense 3a, and v. intr., sense 2, influenced by troll.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
trawl
(trɔːl)n
1. (Fishing) Also called: trawlnet a large net, usually in the shape of a sock or bag, drawn at deep levels behind special boats (trawlers)
2. (Fishing) Also called: trawl line a long line to which numerous shorter hooked lines are attached, suspended between buoys. See also setline, trotline
3. (Fishing) the act of trawling
vb
4. (Fishing) sea fishing to catch or try to catch (fish) with a trawl net or trawl line
5. (Fishing) sea fishing (tr) to drag (a trawl net) or suspend (a trawl line)
6. (foll by: for) to seek or gather (something, such as information, or someone, such as a likely appointee) from a wide variety of sources
n, vb
(Angling) angling another word for troll1
[C17: from Middle Dutch traghelen to drag, from Latin trāgula dragnet; see trail]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
trawl
(trɔl)n.
1. Also called trawl′ net`. a strong fishing net dragged along the sea bottom to catch the fish living there.
2. Also called trawl′ line`. a buoyed line used in sea fishing, having numerous short lines with baited hooks attached at intervals.
v.i. 3. to fish with a trawl.
4. to troll.
v.t. 5. to catch with a trawl.
6. to drag (a trawl net).
7. to troll.
[1475–85; < Middle Dutch tragel (n.), tragelen (v.), c. trail]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
trawl
Past participle: trawled
Gerund: trawling
| Imperative |
|---|
| trawl |
| trawl |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  trawl - a long fishing line with many shorter lines and hooks attached to it (usually suspended between buoys)fishing line - a length of cord to which the leader and float and sinker and hook are attached |
| 2. |  trawl - a conical fishnet dragged through the water at great depthsfishing net, fishnet - a net that will enclose fish when it is pulled in | |
| Verb | 1. |  trawl - fish with trawlers fish - catch or try to catch fish or shellfish; "I like to go fishing on weekends" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
trawl
verb search, go, look, check, wade (informal), sift They are trawling through the records of thousands of petty thieves.
noun search, look, check, hunt, glance Any trawl through their interviews will reveal incisive statements.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
trawl
[trɔːl]A. N
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
trawl
(troːl) noun a wide-mouthed, bag-shaped net used to catch sea fish. red de arrastre
verb to fish with a trawl. pescar con red de arrastre, pescar al arrastre
ˈtrawler noun a fishing-boat used in trawling. arrastrero, barco de arrastre
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.