sardine 1
/sahr deen"/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) sardine , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) sardines .
1. the pilchard, Sardina pilchardus, often preserved in oil and used for food.
2. any of various similar, closely related fishes of the herring family Clupeidae.
[ 1400-50; late ME sardeine sardine sardina, deriv. of sarda sardine, n. use of fem. of Sardus Sardinian ]
sardine 2
/sahr"duyn, -dn/ , n.
sard.
[ 1300-50; ME ( sardinus ) sárdinos SARDIUS ]