anchovy

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: an=cho=vy

CIDE DICTIONARY

anchovy, n. [Sp. anchoa, anchova, or Pg. anchova, prob. of Iberian origin, and lit. a dried or pickled fish, fr. Bisc. antzua dry: cf. D. anchovis, F. anchois.].

 A small fish, about three inches in length, of the Herring family (Engraulis encrasicholus), caught in vast numbers in the Mediterranean, and pickled for exportation. The name is also applied to several allied species.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

anchovy, n. (pl. -ies) any of various small silvery fish of the herring family usu. preserved in salt and oil and having a strong taste.

Idiom

anchovy pear a W. Indian fruit like a mango. anchovy toast toast spread with paste made from anchovies.

Etymology

Sp. & Port. ancho(v)a, of uncert. orig.