shad
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.shad
noun \ˈshad\ plural shad
Definition of SHAD
: any of several fishes (especially genus Alosa) of the herring family that differ from the typical herrings (genus Clupeus) in having a relatively deep body and in being anadromous and that include some important food fishes of Europe and North America
See Origin of SHAD
Middle English *shad, from Old English sceadd
First Known Use: before 12th century
shad
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Any of several saltwater food fishes of the herring family (Clupeidae) that swim up rivers to spawn. Shad eggs (roe) are a delicacy in the U.S. Adult shad are toothless. The lower jaw of shad in the genus Alosa fits into a notch at the tip of the upper jaw. The American shad (A. sapidissima), an Atlantic fish introduced into the Pacific, is a migratory plankton eater and a good game fish. The Allis (or Allice) shad (A. alosa) of Europe is about 30 in. (75 cm) long and weighs about 8 lbs (3.6 kg). See also whitefish.
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