alewives - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

alewives

|ale-wives|

/ˈeɪlˌwaɪvz/

(alewife)

woman who keeps an alehouse; type of fish

Base Form	Plural
alewife	alewives

Etymology

Etymology Information

'alewife' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'ale' meaning 'a type of beer' and 'wife' meaning 'woman'.

Historical Evolution

'alewife' changed from the Middle English word 'alewyf' and eventually became the modern English word 'alewife'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a woman who sells ale', but over time it evolved to also refer to a type of fish.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a type of fish, specifically a species of herring found in North American waters.

The alewives migrate upstream to spawn in the spring.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a historical term for a woman who owned or managed an alehouse.

In medieval England, alewives were common in many villages.

Synonyms

Examples

Last updated: 2025/06/18 20:06