pilchard Definition
pil·chard (pil′c̸hərd)
noun
a member of any of two genera (Sardina and Sardinops) of small, oily, marine clupeid fishes; esp., the commercial sardine (Sardina pilchardus) of W Europe
Etymology: earlier pilcher < ?
pilchard Usage Examples
Preposition: on
toast: After Earnest and Delia have a disastrous celebration dinner for their wedding anniversary they return home to prepare pilchards on toast in bed instead.
Converse of object
salt: Newlyn has been exporting salted pilchards to Italy since c.1550.
Preposition: in
sauce: He makes his daily special of fried eggs drowned in Soy sauce, accompanied by pilchards in tomato sauce, with rice.
Modifies a noun
- fishery: Females travel the furthest north in the Tasman, homing in on the pilchard fishery near Tasmania.
- fishing: Ropehaven, apparently a former pilchard fishing station, is a private house down near the shore.
- shoal: The pilchard shoals severely declined and the industry followed, finally ceasing at the beginning of the twentieth century.
- oil: Tim float fished smelled and sardine filled with pilchard oil close to the margins along the front bank, moving from swim to swim.
- cellar: Portwrinkle was once a small but flourishing village with its early 17th century pilchard cellars, situated halfway between Plymouth and Looe.
- industry: In the 18th century, the pilchard industry dried out but was soon to be replaced by that great money-spinner, tourism.
Noun used with modifier
salt: Recipes: Salt pilchards can be enjoyed hot or cold.

