men·ha·den (m n-h d n)n. pl. menhaden or men·ha·dens Any of several species of fish of the genus Brevoortia, especially B. tyrannus of American Atlantic and Gulf waters, used as a source of fish oil, fertilizer, and bait. Also called mossbunker, pogy. [Probably blend of Narragansett munnawhatteaûg, a herring-like fish; akin to munnohquohteau, he enriches the land (from its use as a fertilizer) and English dialectal poghaden (probably of Algonquian origin).] |
menhaden [mɛnˈheɪdən]
n pl -den
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) a marine North American fish, Brevoortia tyrannus: source of fishmeal, fertilizer, and oil: family Clupeidae (herrings, etc.)
[from Algonquian; probably related to Narragansett munnawhatteaúg fertilizer, menhaden]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  menhaden - shad-like North American marine fishes used for fish meal and oil and fertilizerclupeid, clupeid fish - any of numerous soft-finned schooling food fishes of shallow waters of northern seas Brevoortia, genus Brevoortia - menhaden menhaden oil - a fatty oil obtained from the menhaden fish and used in paint and ink and in treating leather |
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