menhaden

[ men-heyd-n ]

noun

, plural men·ha·den.

1. any marine clupeid fish of the genus Brevoortia, especially B. tyrannus, resembling a shad but with a more compressed body, common along the eastern coast of the U.S., and used for making oil and fertilizer.

menhaden

/ mɛnˈheɪdən /

noun

1. a marine North American fish, Brevoortia tyrannus: source of fishmeal, fertilizer, and oil: family Clupeidae (herrings, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of menhaden¹

First recorded in 1635–45, Americanism; perhaps from Narragansett ( English spelling) munnawhatteaûg, influenced by English dialect poghaden; pogy ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of menhaden¹

C18: from Algonquian; probably related to Narragansett munnawhatteaúg fertilizer, menhaden

Example Sentences

Menhaden fish, found near the surface of the water, are inedible but are now being used for making fertilizer and oil in Virginia.

From Project Gutenberg

Menhaden have been seen floating at the surface which have been cut nearly in twain by a blow of a sword.

From Project Gutenberg

When fishing for these in the swift tideways, menhaden bait is used.

From Project Gutenberg

Salted menhaden and the refuse from scallops are ground up together, forming a mass of about the consistency of thick molasses.

From Project Gutenberg

By the end of the Civil War the menhaden catch along the coast of Maine was beginning to drop off.

From Project Gutenberg