sardine
noun
- any of several small or immature fishes of the herring family, especially : the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) especially when young and of a size suitable for preserving for food
- any of various small fishes (such as an anchovy) resembling the true sardines or similarly preserved for food
verb
- to pack closely, as sardines in a tin; to crowd, cram, press tightly
noun
- a red precious stone mentioned in the Bible (e.g. Exodus 28:17) and in classical writings
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /sɑːˈdiːn/ / /sɑɹˈdin/
adj
Etymology: Pliny states that its name was ultimately derived from Sardis, in Lydia, where the sard was first discovered; but probably ultimately derived from Persian sered ("yellowish-red").
- Characteristic of a sardius.
“And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”
noun
Etymology: From the way protesters are tightly packed into public spaces, analogous to the way sardines are packed into cans.
- A member of the Italian grassroots political movement organized to protest against the right-wing surge in the country and the political rhetoric of Matteo Salvini.
“A new grassroots movement called ‘sardines’ is fighting against Italy's rightwing strongman Matteo Salvini across the nation after a spectacular launch in Bologna last week.”
“But they might need more than prayer to effectively compete with the Sardines, who in the last month have packed themselves tightly in ever-increasing numbers into piazzas in city after Italian city.”
verb
Etymology: Borrowed from French sardine (cognate with Spanish sardina, Italian sardina), Latin sardīna; from Ancient Greek σαρδίνη (sardínē).
- To fish for sardines.
“No one on Monhegan says they saw them, but a man sardining says he saw it headed there, or at least some boat with people atop it.”
- to pack or cram together tightly.
“Six-foot- four McMichael (a past master at the art of sardining) not only crammed enough clothes for the trip into the mighty midget, but carried a full set of golf clubs and a banjo, as well!”
“Would it be unbearably elitist to suggest that they would be more enjoyable still if the director removed a row or two of chairs, instead of sardining as many listeners as possible into the intimate music room?”