The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]