The DICT Development Group

  Silverfish \Sil"ver*fish`\, n.
     1. (Zool.)
        (a) The tarpum.
        (b) A white variety of the goldfish.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. one of a variety of insects of the order Thysanura,
        especially Lepisma saccharina, which may infest houses,
        and eats starched clothing and sized papers. See
        Lepisma.
        [PJC]

  Lepisma \Le*pis"ma\ (l[-e]*p[i^]z"m[.a]), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
     le`pisma peel, fr. lepi`s -i`dos, a scale.] (Zool.)
     A genus of wingless thysanurous insects having an elongated
     flattened body, covered with shining scales and terminated by
     seven unequal bristles. A common species ({Lepisma
     saccharina) is found in houses, and often injures books and
     furniture; it feeds on starch and eats sized paper and
     starched clothes. Called also shiner, silverfish, silver
     witch, silver moth, and furniture bug.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]

  Tarpum \Tar"pum\, n. (Zool.)
     A very large marine fish ({Megapolis Atlanticus) of the
     Southern United States and the West Indies. It often becomes
     six or more feet in length, and has large silvery scales. The
     scales are a staple article of trade, and are used in
     fancywork. Called also tarpon, sabalo, savanilla,
     silverfish, and jewfish.
     [1913 Webster]

  silverfish
      n 1: silver-grey wingless insect found in houses feeding on book
           bindings and starched clothing [syn: silverfish, Lepisma
           saccharina]
      2: a silvery variety of Carassius auratus