shiner

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of numerous small, silvery North American freshwater fishes, especially minnows used as bait

   A school of shiners flashed near the surface of the lake.

2. 2
   noun

   informal: a bruised and swollen eye; a black eye

   He came home with a shiner after walking into the open cupboard door.

3. 3
   noun

   a person or thing that shines or polishes something

   The shoe shiner buffed each pair to a mirror finish.

From shine + the agent suffix -er, literally 'one or something that shines.' The fish name refers to the bright silvery scales of many species. The informal injury sense likewise treats a dark, swollen eye as a conspicuous 'shiner.'

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