مچهـ machh S or machchha (मच्छ or मत्स्य) s. m. 1. A fish in general. 2. The name of the first avatār, or incarnation, when Vish̤ṇu appeared in the shape of the small fish (शफरी) sapharī, to Satyavrata, or Hayagrīva, to warn him of the general deluge, and desire him to place the four Vedas in the boat which he (Vish̤ṇu) would preserve. The fish was first taken up by Hayagrīva in his hands when bathing, being then of the size of the sapharī (or ponṭhī); but, it grew too large for being contained in a tank, river, &c. and was carried to the sea; where, afterwards, it supported the