Atherine \Ath"er*ine\, n. [NL. atherina, fr. Gr. ? a kind of smelt.] (Zool.) A small marine fish of the family {Atherinid[ae]}, having a silvery stripe along the sides. The European species ({Atherina presbyter}) is used as food. The American species ({Menidia notata}) is called {silversides} and {sand smelt}. See {Silversides}. [1913 Webster]