I. ˈālˌwīf noun
( plural alewives -ˌwīvz)
Etymology: Middle English alewif, from ale + wif wife
: a woman who keeps an alehouse
II. “, sometimes ˈel- noun
( plural alewives -ˌwīvz)
Etymology: probably so called from its big belly
1.
a. : a food fish ( Pomolobus pseudoharengus ) of the herring family (Clupeidae) very abundant on the Atlantic coast
b. : any of several related fishes: as
(1) : menhaden
(2) : a pilchard ( Harengula pensacolae ) of the Florida coast
(3) : allice shad
2. : round pompano