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anchovy Definition

an·chovy (an′c̸hō′vē, -c̸hə-; an′c̸hō′vē)

noun pl. -·vies or -·vy

any of a family (Engraulidae) of very small fishes (order Clupeiformes) with large mouths, found mostly in warm seas: anchovies, esp. the European species (Engraulis encrasicholus), are used as a relish, either canned in oil or made into a salty paste

Etymology: Port anchova < VL *apua < L aphya < Gr aphyē, small fry

anchovy Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • chop: Lay the mozzarella on a slice of bread, sprinkling a little chopped anchovy over it.
  • salt: Wash the salted anchovies under lots of cold running water.
  • contain: My Caesar salad was particularly good ( although only seemed to contain one anchovy ).
  • include: There are also great fish dishes, including anchovies and swordfish, and salads and cous-cous dishes with a North African influence.
  • marinate: The local specialities are anchovies marinated in vinegar and garlic, fish baked in rock salt and sword fish.
  • stuff: Anchovy stuffed olives are good too, beaten only by olive stuffed anchovies.

Adjective modifier

  • fresh: I'm not talking here about fresh anchovies - they are worthy of a whole article on their own.
  • tinned: Aziz admitted to having been blown apart in a recent car bomb attack in Baghdad " while out shopping for tinned anchovies " .

Modifies a noun

  • filet: Turn the dough over and spread with the tomato mixture, the cheese, and a few sliced olives or anchovy filets.
  • essence: On a board, crush together salt and garlic and then mix with anchovy essence.
  • paste: The pots for which these lids were made would have contained Crosse & Blackwell's potted meats or anchovy paste.
  • butter: Lay the chicken on top and spoon over the anchovy butter.
  • sauce: A good dollop of soy and worcester sauce and a shake of anchovy sauce.