GILLS Meaning and
Definition
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Gills are anatomical structures found in many aquatic animals, including fish and some amphibians, which are used for breathing and obtaining oxygen from water. They are specialized respiratory organs that serve as a means of gas exchange.
Gills are typically located on either side of the animal's body, protected by gill covers or gill plates. They are made up of filaments or lamellae, which are thin, flat structures that increase the surface area for gas exchange. The small blood vessels in the gills allow for the exchange of gases between the animal's blood and the surrounding water.
When water passes over the gills, oxygen from the water diffuses into the bloodstream through the thin walls of the gill filaments, while carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, is simultaneously released into the water. This process allows the animal to extract oxygen from the water and remove carbon dioxide.
Gills also play a crucial role in maintaining the animal's electrolyte and acid-base balance. They help regulate the levels of ions, such as sodium and chloride, in the body by actively pumping out excess ions or absorbing necessary ones.
In summary, gills are respiratory organs that enable aquatic animals to breathe by extracting oxygen from water and releasing carbon dioxide. They are specialized structures adapted for gas exchange and crucial for the survival of many organisms living in aquatic environments.
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The organs of breathing in fishes; the lungs of a fish, being reddish fibrous flaps placed on both sides of the head; the flaps below the beak of a fowl; in bot., the thin vertical plates on the under side of the cap of certain fungi.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for GILLS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for GILLS
Etymology of GILLS
The word "gills" has an interesting etymology. It can be traced back to the Middle English word "gylle" or "gille", which originally referred to the opening or passage between the throat and the stomach in animals. This term evolved from the Old English word "gylle" meaning "throat", which is related to the Old Norse "gjǫlla" meaning "throat or gullet".
Over time, the meaning of "gills" expanded to refer specifically to the respiratory organs found in fish and other aquatic creatures that enable them to extract oxygen from water. This usage became established by the 15th century, and the word has been used to describe these organs ever since.
Idioms with the word GILLS
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to the gills
The idiom "to the gills" means to be completely full or completely packed with something. It is typically used to describe a situation where there is no more space or capacity available. It can also imply a feeling of being overwhelmed or overloaded.
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be green around the gills
The idiom "be green around the gills" means to look or feel nauseated or sickly. It refers to the pale, greenish shade of color that appears on a person's face when they are feeling unwell or experiencing nausea.
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pale around the gills
The idiom "pale around the gills" refers to someone's face or complexion appearing pale or sickly. It is often used to describe someone who is unwell, drained of color, or lacking vitality.
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be green about the gills
To be green about the gills means to appear or feel sick or nauseous. It originates from the physical sign of a pale or greenish complexion, often associated with illness or extreme discomfort.
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loaded to the gills
The idiom "loaded to the gills" means being completely or excessively full, usually in reference to something being stuffed or packed to its maximum capacity. It can be used to describe a person who is incredibly busy or has a lot of responsibilities, or to describe an object or space that is filled to the brim. It can also be used figuratively to describe someone who is heavily under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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be green about/around the gills
The idiom "be green about/around the gills" means to look or appear sickly, pale, or nauseous. It is often used to describe someone who is feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of illness. The phrase comes from the physical manifestation of a person's complexion turning pale or greenish when they are feeling queasy or ill.
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green around the gills
The idiom "green around the gills" is used to describe someone who appears pale or sickly in appearance. It suggests that the person may be experiencing symptoms of nausea or ill health.
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green about the gills
The idiom "green about the gills" typically refers to someone who appears or feels sickly or nauseous.
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be doped to the gills
The idiom "be doped to the gills" typically refers to someone who is heavily under the influence of drugs or narcotics. It implies that the person has consumed or taken a significant amount of drugs to the point where they are thoroughly intoxicated. The phrase "doped to the gills" suggests being full of drugs (doped) and is often used colloquially to emphasize the extreme state of being high or intoxicated.
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blue around the gills
The idiom "blue around the gills" typically refers to someone looking pale, sickly, or unwell. It derives its meaning from the observation that when a person is feeling ill, their complexion may turn slightly bluish around the area of the gills, which is a term used to describe a fish's respiratory organs.
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white around the gills
The idiom "white around the gills" refers to someone who appears pale, usually due to fear, sickness, or shock. It is often used to describe a person who has lost their color or appears visibly unwell.
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be sloshed to the gills
The idiom "be sloshed to the gills" is a colloquial expression that means to be extremely intoxicated or heavily drunk. It implies that the person has consumed a large amount of alcohol, often to the point of being unable to function properly. The phrase "to the gills" is used figuratively to emphasize the degree of drunkenness, comparing it to being completely filled or saturated, similar to the gills of a fish.
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be stuffed to the gills
The idiom "be stuffed to the gills" means to be completely full or overflowing, often referring to a person's stomach being extremely full after eating a large amount of food. It can also be used more broadly to describe being totally saturated or overloaded with something.
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doped to the gills
The idiom "doped to the gills" typically means being heavily under the influence of drugs or having consumed a large amount of drugs. It suggests a state of being highly intoxicated or deeply affected by the effects of narcotics.
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stewed to the gills
The idiom "stewed to the gills" refers to someone who is extremely intoxicated or drunk. It suggests that the person has consumed alcohol to the point that they are completely and heavily under its influence.
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fed to the gills
The idiom "fed to the gills" typically means being extremely full or completely satisfied, particularly in relation to food or drink. It conveys the idea of being so overly stuffed that one cannot consume any more.
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full to the gills
The idiom "full to the gills" means being completely or excessively full or crowded. It is often used to describe a situation or a person who has reached their capacity or maximum limit for something.
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packed to the gills
The idiom "packed to the gills" means that something, typically a place or a container, is completely filled or overly crowded with people or objects. It implies that there is no more space available due to being excessively full.
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sloshed to the gills
The idiom "sloshed to the gills" refers to someone who is extremely intoxicated or drunk. It implies that the person has consumed excessive amounts of alcohol to the point where their stomach or "gills" are full. It emphasizes the state of being heavily under the influence of alcohol.
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stuffed to the gills
The idiom "stuffed to the gills" means to be completely or excessively full, usually referring to being physically full after eating a large amount of food. It suggests a feeling of being overly satisfied or even overwhelmed with fullness. The expression "to the gills" refers to the gills of a fish, suggesting that one is filled up to the maximum capacity.
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up to the gills
The idiom "up to the gills" means to be completely or excessively occupied or overwhelmed with something. It refers to being so full or packed with a certain task, responsibility, or obligation that one is unable to take on anything else. It implies being overwhelmed or unable to handle any additional workload or commitments.
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green about (or around or at) the gills
To be "green about the gills" or "green around the gills" is an idiom that means someone looks sick or nauseated. It is often used to describe a person who appears pale or blanched, particularly in the face, resembling the color of someone who is suffering from seasickness. The phrase suggests a state of illness or uneasiness.
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fishy about the gills
Feeling or appearing unwell or suspicious.
Similar spelling words for GILLS
- mills,
- Wills,
- gilds,
- Gels,
- gill,
- Giles,
- Gilles,
- Gillis,
- calls,
- Kilos,
- grills,
- tills,
- Gillies,
- fills,
- gilkey,
- bills,
- gillock,
- kills.
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