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pilchard

[pil-cherd]
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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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Origin of pilchard

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier pilcher; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for pilchard

Historical Examples

  • She was building for the pilchard season and was to be ready for the middle of June.

    A Singer from the Sea

    Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr

  • “I never saw a pilchard,” said Arthur, suddenly beginning to dress.

    Menhardoc

    George Manville Fenn

  • Most of the inhabitants are engaged in the pilchard and herring fishery.

  • "Had a letter from the company today," Pilchard observed, suddenly.

  • See here, Pilchard, it's time we came to some understanding.

British Dictionary definitions for pilchard

pilchard

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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Word Origin

C16: pylcher, of obscure origin
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 pilchard

n.

fish of the herring family, 1540s, earlier pilcher (1520s), of unknown origin. The -d- is "excrescent" [OED].

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper