n. [ AS. pylce, pylece, LL. pellicia. See Pelisse, and Pelt skin. ] A gown or case of skin, or one trimmed or lined with fur. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
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 ]
n. [ From Pilch. ] A scabbard, as of a sword. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Zool.) The pilchard. [ 1913 Webster ]