First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1smelt
noun \ˈsmelt\
: a type of small fish that can be eaten
plural smelts or smelt
Full Definition of SMELT
: any of a family (Osmeridae) of small bony fishes that closely resemble the trouts in general structure, live along coasts and ascend rivers to spawn or are landlocked, and have delicate oily flesh with a distinctive odor and taste
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Origin of SMELT
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Norwegian smelte whiting
Other Fishes Terms
2smelt
transitive verb
: to melt rock that contains metal in order to get the metal out
Full Definition of SMELT
1
: to melt or fuse (as ore) often with an accompanying chemical change usually to separate the metal
Origin of SMELT
Dutch or Low German smelten; akin to Old High German smelzan to melt, Old English meltan — more at melt
First Known Use: 1543
SMELT Defined for Kids
1smelt
noun \ˈsmelt\
plural smelts or smelt
Definition of SMELT for Kids
: a small silvery fish that is sometimes used for food
2smelt
verb
smelt·edsmelt·ing
Definition of SMELT for Kids
: to melt (as ore) in order to separate the metal : refine
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