This word is acceptable for play in the US & UK dictionaries that are being used in the following games:

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• Wordscraper
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n. Plural form of alewife.

"It seems that while we weren't looking (who looks for such things?) a resources ­department of the state had ­introduced alewives to local water; while the small fish had spread in abundance all over the lake eating whatever they eat, the bass were enthusiastically feasting on the alewives, which is typical of the great wet circle of life underwater."