anchovy

[an-choh-vee, -chuh-, an-choh-vee]

noun

plural

anchovies 

1. any small, marine, herringlike fish of the family Engraulidae, especially Engraulis encrasicholus, found in the Mediterranean Sea, often preserved in oil and used in salads, spreads, etc., or packaged in paste form.

anchovy

/ ˈæntʃəvɪ /

noun

1. any of various small marine food fishes of the genus Engraulis and related genera, esp E. encrasicolus of S Europe: family Clupeidae (herrings). They have a salty taste and are often tinned or made into a paste or essence

Word History and Origins

Origin of anchovy¹

1590–1600; < French or Ibero-Romance < Genoese anchua, anchova < Vulgar Latin *apiu ( v ) a, variant of Latin apua (Pliny) < Greek aphýē fry of various fishes

Word History and Origins

Origin of anchovy¹

C16: from Spanish anchoa, perhaps ultimately from Greek aphuē small fish

Example Sentences

One major factor in this decline is competition with local fisheries that catch sardines and anchovies, which are essential prey for the birds.

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We begin with a gilda, a tiny skewer of anchovy, olive, pickled pepper and a platter of cured meats and cheeses.

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The Caesar salad, with candied anchovies, gem lettuce, and umeboshi dressing, is a playful twist, but the main course is where things get truly exciting.

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One foggy morning, we left shore in the dark on a small trawler with Captain Park Hyung-il, who has been fishing anchovies off Korea's south coast for more than 25 years.

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One of their key winter gathering spots is the Bay of Biscay, off the coast of France, where nutrient-rich waters attract anchovies, sardines, and other small fish that serve as food for the dolphins.

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