Osmerus thalichthys
(gcide) | 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.
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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.
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2. Fig.: A gull; a simpleton. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
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Sand smelt (Zool.), the silverside.
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