sparling

sparling
    n 1: common smelt of Europe [syn: {European smelt}, {sparling}]
    2: the common smelt of Europe [syn: {sparling}, {European
       smelt}, {Osmerus eperlanus}]
    

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.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Sand smelt} (Zool.), the silverside.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Sparling \Spar"ling\, n. [Akin to G. spierling, spiering, D.
   spiering: cf. F. ['e]perlan.] (Zool.)
   (a) The European smelt ({Osmerus eperlanus}).
   (b) A young salmon.
   (c) A tern. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
       [1913 Webster]