English edit

 
European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus).

Etymology edit

Unknown.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

pilchard (plural pilchard or pilchards)

  1. Any of various small oily fish related to herrings, family Clupeidae.
    • 1839, John Hookham Frere (translator), The Birds, lines 76–77, in Acharnians and two other plays
      He longs occasionally for human diet,
      His old Athenian fare: pilchards, for instance.

Usage notes edit

The terms sardine and pilchard are not precise, and what is meant depends on the region. Often, the smaller fish are termed sardines and the larger ones pilchards.

Synonyms edit

Translations edit

See also edit

French edit

Noun edit

pilchard m (plural pilchards)

  1. pilchard, sardine

Further reading edit