from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Smelt \Smelt\, n. [AS. smelt, smylt; akin to Dan. smelt.]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small silvery
salmonoid fishes of the genus {Osmerus} and allied genera,
which ascend rivers to spawn, and sometimes become
landlocked in lakes. They are esteemed as food, and have a
peculiar odor and taste.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The most important species are the European smelt
({Osmerus eperlans}) (called also {eperlan},
{sparling}, and {spirling}), the Eastern American smelt
({Osmerus mordax}), the California smelt ({Osmerus
thalichthys}), and the surf smelt ({Hypomesus olidus}).
The name is loosely applied to various other small
fishes, as the lant, the California tomcod, the spawn
eater, the silversides.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: A gull; a simpleton. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
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{Sand smelt} (Zool.), the silverside.
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