One of several species of marine gadoid fishes, of the genera
Phycis,
Merlucius, and allies. The common European hake is
Merlucius vulgaris; the American silver hake or whiting is
Merlucius bilinearis. Two American species (
Phycis chuss and
Phycis tenius) are important food fishes, and are also valued for their oil and sounds. Called also
squirrel hake, and
codling. [
1913 Webster]