anchoveta

noun

an·​cho·​veta ˌan-chō-ˈve-tə 

variants or less commonly anchovetta

: a small anchovy (Engraulis ringens) of the Pacific coast from Peru to Chile that forms large schools and is caught commercially especially for use in fish meal

also : a related anchovy (Cetengraulis mysticetus) of the Pacific coast from southern California to northern Peru that is caught commercially chiefly for use in fish meal and as bait

Examples of anchoveta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Peruvian anchoveta is similar to sardines, but are not consumed directly by humans, while oil sardine is the staple food here (in south India). —Haritha John, Quartz India, 8 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Spanish anchoveta, diminutive of anchova

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above