from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mackerel \Mack`er*el\, n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau (LL.
macarellus), prob. for maclereau, fr. L. macula a spot, in
allusion to the markings on the fish. See {Mail} armor.]
(Zool.)
Any species of the genus {Scomber} of the family
{Scombridae}, and of several related genera. They are finely
formed and very active oceanic fishes. Most of them are
highly prized for food.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common mackerel ({Scomber scombrus}), which
inhabits both sides of the North Atlantic, is one of
the most important food fishes. It is mottled with
green and blue. The Spanish mackerel ({Scomberomorus
maculatus}), of the American coast, is covered with
bright yellow circular spots.
[1913 Webster]
{Bull mackerel}, {Chub mackerel}. (Zool.) See under {Chub}.
{Frigate mackerel}. See under {Frigate}.
{Horse mackerel} . See under {Horse}.
{Mackerel bird} (Zool.), the wryneck; -- so called because it
arrives in England at the time when mackerel are in
season.
{Mackerel cock} (Zool.), the Manx shearwater; -- so called
because it precedes the appearance of the mackerel on the
east coast of Ireland.
{Mackerel guide}. (Zool.) See {Garfish}
(a) .
{Mackerel gull} (Zool.) any one of several species of gull
which feed upon or follow mackerel, as the kittiwake.
{Mackerel midge} (Zool.), a very small oceanic gadoid fish of
the North Atlantic. It is about an inch and a half long
and has four barbels on the upper jaw. It is now
considered the young of the genus {Onos}, or {Motella}.
{Mackerel plow}, an instrument for creasing the sides of lean
mackerel to improve their appearance. --Knight.
{Mackerel shark} (Zool.), the porbeagle.
{Mackerel sky}, or {Mackerel-back sky}, a sky flecked with
small white clouds; a cirro-cumulus. See {Cloud}.
[1913 Webster]
Mackerel sky and mare's-tails
Make tall ships carry low sails. --Old Rhyme.
[1913 Webster] mackerel scad