anchovy

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

noun, plural an·cho·vies.

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.

Nearby words

Origin of anchovy

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for anchovy

Roasted Cauliflower with Anchovy Bread Crumbs It is important to note that this dish does not have an anchovy flavor.
Sam Sifton’s Thanksgiving Recipes|Sam Sifton|November 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Plus Sifton shares two of his favorite recipes: cranberry sauce and roasted cauliflower with anchovy bread crumps.
Sam Sifton’s Thanksgiving Tips|Katie Baker|November 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Pan-Roasted Asparagus With Fried Eggs and Anchovy Bread Crumbs.
Fresh Picks|Jamie Bissonnette|August 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Lay in the anchovy fillets, and place over very low heat until they melt, falling apart when the pan is shaken.
Alice Waters’ Favorite Vineyard|Sophie Menin|August 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST

If you prefer, the tomato sauce can be prepared a day in advance, but the anchovy fillets should be added only at the last minute.
Alice Waters’ Favorite Vineyard|Sophie Menin|August 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Matre dhtel butter or anchovy butter may be used instead; serve fried chipped potatoes round.
Soyer's Culinary Campaign|Alexis Soyer
The anchovy has a fine and peculiar flavour, and is eaten as a delicacy all over Europe.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
When the anchovy is quite dissolved, strain off the liquor, and put into your melted butter to your taste.
The Lady's Own Cookery Book, and New Dinner-Table Directory;|Charlotte Campbell Bury
If liked, a little essence of anchovy may be added to the seasoning.
Nelson's Home Comforts|Mary Hooper
Serve pitted olives on rounds of fried bread with an anchovy curled around each olive.
The Myrtle Reed Cook Book|Myrtle Reed

British Dictionary definitions for anchovy

anchovy

noun plural -vies or -vy

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 Origin for anchovy

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for anchovy

anchovy

1590s, from Portuguese anchova, from Genoese or Corsican dialect, perhaps ultimately from either Latin apua "small fish" (from Greek aphye "small fry") [Gamillscheg, Diez], or from Basque anchu "dried fish," from anchuva "dry" [Klein, citing Mahn].