\Shad\ (sh[a^]d), n. sing. & pl. [AS. sceadda a kind of
fish, akin to Prov. G. schade; cf. Ir. & Gael. sgadan a
herring, W. ysgadan herrings; all perhaps akin to E. skate a
fish.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of food fishes of the Herring
family. The American species ({Clupea sapidissima}), which is
abundant on the Atlantic coast and ascends the larger rivers
in spring to spawn, is an important market fish. The European
allice shad, or alose ({C. alosa}), and the twaite shad. ({C.
finta}), are less important species. [Written also {chad}.]
Note: The name is loosely applied, also, to several other
      fishes, as the gizzard shad (see under {Gizzard}),
      called also {mud shad}, {white-eyed shad}, and {winter
      shad}.
{Hardboaded}, or {Yellow-tailed}, {shad}, the menhaden.
{Hickory}, or {Tailor}, {shad}, the mattowacca.
{Long-boned shad}, one of several species of important food
   fishes of the Bermudas and the West Indies, of the genus
   {Gerres}.
{Shad bush} (Bot.), a name given to the North American shrubs
   or small trees of the rosaceous genus {Amelanchier} ({A.
   Canadensis}, and {A. alnifolia}) Their white racemose
   blossoms open in April or May, when the shad appear, and
   the edible berries (pomes) ripen in June or July, whence
   they are called Juneberries. The plant is also called
   {service tree}, and {Juneberry}.
{Shad frog}, an American spotted frog ({Rana halecina}); --
   so called because it usually appears at the time when the
   shad begin to run in the rivers.
{Trout shad}, the squeteague.
{White shad}, the common shad.