Main Entry:

¹smelt

Pronunciation:

\ˈsmelt\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural smelts or smelt

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Norwegian smelte whiting

Date:

before 12th century

: 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