codlike

Codlike is an adjective used to describe something that resembles cod, a common name for fish in the genus Gadus, especially Gadus morhua. In culinary contexts, codlike describes the characteristic qualities associated with cod flesh: a mild flavor and a white, flaky, moderately firm texture that flakes easily when cooked. The term may be used to compare other fish or prepared dishes to cod.

Etymology and scope: The word is formed from the noun cod plus the suffix -like, indicating resemblance. It is not a technical term in biology or fisheries literature; rather it appears in informal writing, menus, and cookbook prose to convey a cod’s culinary profile or sensory impression.

Usage notes: Codlike is most likely to appear when a writer wants to signal that a dish or fillet resembles cod in taste or texture without specifying the species. It is less common for scientific descriptions and can be used descriptively or metaphorically in food journalism.

See also: cod, white fish, fish texture, flavor profile descriptors.