What is "clupea pilchardus"

Sardine \Sar"dine\ (? or ?; 277), n. [F. sardine (cf. Sp. sardina, sarda, It. sardina, sardella), L. sardina, sarda; cf. Gr. ?, ?; so called from the island of Sardinia, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several small species of herring which are commonly preserved in olive oil for food, especially the pilchard, or European sardine ( Clupea pilchardus). The California sardine ( Clupea sagax) is similar. The American sardines of the Atlantic coast are mostly the young of the common herring and of the menhaden.

Pilchard \Pil"chard\, n. [Cf. It. pilseir, W. pilcod minnows.] (Zo["o]l.) A small European food fish ( Clupea pilchardus) resembling the herring, but thicker and rounder. It is sometimes taken in great numbers on the coast of England.

Fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to herrings.
--Shak.

Fair \Fair\ (f[^a]r), a. [Compar. Fairer; superl. Fairest.] [OE. fair, fayer, fager, AS. f[ae]ger; akin to OS. & OHG. fagar, Icel. fagr, Sw. fager, Dan. faver, Goth. fagrs fit, also to E. fay, G. f["u]gen, to fit. fegen to sweep, cleanse, and prob. also to E. fang, peace, pact, Cf. Fang, Fain, Fay to fit.]

1. Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.

   A fair white linen cloth.
   --Book of Common Prayer.

2. Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.

   Who can not see many a fair French city, for one fair French made.
   --Shak.

3. Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.

   The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
   --Sir M. Hale.

4. Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; -- said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.

   You wish fair winds may waft him over.
   --Prior.

5. Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unincumbered; open; direct; -- said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.

   The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a fair way to have enlarged.
   --Sir W. Raleigh.

6. (Shipbuilding) Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; -- said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.

7. Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias; equitable; just; -- said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement. ``I would call it fair play.''
   --Shak.

8. Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; -- said of words, promises, etc.

   When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on us, we must be frighted into our duty.
   --L' Estrange.

9. Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.

10. Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen. The news is very fair and good, my lord. --Shak. Fair ball. (Baseball)

    1. A ball passing over the home base at the height called for by the batsman, and delivered by the pitcher while wholly within the lines of his position and facing the batsman.

    2. A batted ball that falls inside the foul lines; -- called also a fair hit. Fair maid. (Zo["o]l.)

       1. The European pilchard ( Clupea pilchardus) when dried.

       2. The southern scup ( Stenotomus Gardeni). [Virginia]

          Fair one, a handsome woman; a beauty,

          Fair play, equitable or impartial treatment; a fair or equal chance; justice.

          From fair to middling, passable; tolerable. [Colloq.]

          The fair sex, the female sex.

          Syn: Candid; open; frank; ingenuous; clear; honest; equitable; impartial; reasonable. See Candid.