alewife 1
/ayl"wuyf'/ , n. , pl. alewives .
a North American fish, Alosa pseudoharengus, resembling a small shad.
[ 1625-35, Amer.; earlier allowes, perh. influenced by ALEWIFE 2 , prob. alose shad alausa ]
alewife 2
/ayl"wuyf'/ , n. , pl. alewives .
a woman who owns or operates an alehouse.
[ 1350-1400; ME; see ALE, WIFE ]