n. A name given to a large number of unrelated silvery and white fishes, for example to different seiænoid, clupeoid, and gadoid fishes.n. Chalk which has been dried either in the air or in a kiln, and afterward ground, levigated, and again dried.n. A gadoid fish of Europe, Merlangus vulgaris, or another of this genus.n. In the United States, one of several sciænoid fishes of the genus Menticirrus, as M. americanus. The silver whiting, or surf-whiting, is M. littoralis.n. The silver hake, Merlucius biline-aris.n. The menhaden.