alewife
alewife Lexical Profile
alewife Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A small, anadromous species of herring (Alosa pseudoharengus) native to the North Atlantic coast of North America, known for its deep, robust body.
"During the spring migration, thousands of alewives swim upstream to spawn in freshwater lakes and ponds."
A woman who keeps an alehouse or tavern, especially in historical or archaic contexts.
"The weary travelers stopped at the village tavern, where the cheerful alewife served them hearty stews and dark beer."
• Rhymes for alewife
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'ale-wife', originally denoting a woman who kept an alehouse. Its 17th-century application to the North American herring species is likely a humorous comparison to the fish's large, robust belly, though it may also be a folk etymology of an undocumented Native American word.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.