n. [ Cf. It. pilseir, W. pilcod minnows. ] (Zool.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
Fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to herrings. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]