pilchard

American  

[pil-cherd] / ˈpɪl tʃərd /

noun

1. a small, southern European, marine fish, Sardina pilchardus, related to the herring but smaller and rounder.

2. any of several related fishes, as Sardinops caeruleus, common off the California coast.

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pilchard British  

/ ˈpɪltʃəd /

noun

1. a European food fish, Sardina (or Clupea ) pilchardus, with a rounded body covered with large scales: family Clupeidae (herrings)

2. a related fish, Sardinops neopilchardus , of S Australian waters

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Etymology

Origin of pilchard

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier pilcher; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

The eDNA identified 15 fish species, including the European pilchard, not typically found at their sampling location.

From Scientific American • Feb. 3, 2015

For bottom fish, and when the current isn't too overbearing, I favor the pilchard jig.

From Time Magazine Archive

The arrow is compact and streamlined, while the pilchard is elongated lead with compressed sides.

From Time Magazine Archive

By comparison, the pilchard design sinks more slowly and has an inherent wobble action.

From Time Magazine Archive

A pack of mongrels nearby licked crashed cans of pilchard.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane