Shoal (?), n. [AS. scolu, sceolu, a company, multitude, crowd, akin to OS. skola; probably originally, a division, and akin to Icel. skilja to part, divide. See Skill, and cf. School. of fishes.] A great multitude assembled; a crowd; a throng; -- said especially of fish; as, a shoal of bass. “Great shoals of people.” Bacon.
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Beneath, a shoal of silver fishes glides. Waller.
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Shoal, a. [Cf. Shallow; or cf. G. scholle a clod, glebe, OHG. scollo, scolla, prob. akin to E. shoal a multitude.] Having little depth; shallow; as, shoal water.
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Shoal, v. i. To become shallow; as, the color of the water shows where it shoals.
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