smelt

¹

[ smelt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to fuse or melt (ore) in order to separate the metal contained.
2. to obtain or refine (metal) in this way.

smelt

²

[ smelt ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) smelt, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) smelts.

1. any of various small, silvery food fishes of the family Osmeridae, of cold northern waters, as the North American rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax.
2. any of several superficially similar but unrelated fishes, especially certain silversides, of California.

smelt

³

[ smelt ]

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of smell.

smelt

¹

/ smɛlt /

noun

1. any marine or freshwater salmonoid food fish of the family Osmeridae, such as Osmerus eperlanus of Europe, having a long silvery body and occurring in temperate and cold northern waters

smelt

²

/ smɛlt /

verb

1. a past tense and past participle of smell

smelt

³

/ smɛlt /

verb

1. tr to extract (a metal) from (an ore) by heating

smelt

/ smĕlt /

1. To melt ores in order to extract the metals they contain. Oxide ores, such as iron ore, are smelted with carbon, which serves as a fuel and changes the ore into a reduced metal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of smelt¹

First recorded in 1535–45; probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German smelten; cognate with German schmelzen “to melt, smelt, fuse”; melt ¹,

Origin of smelt²

First recorded before 900; Middle English smelt(e), smelth, Old English smelt, smylt; compare Norwegian smelta “whiting”

Word History and Origins

Origin of smelt¹

Old English smylt; related to Dutch, Danish smelt, Norwegian smelta, German Schmelz

Origin of smelt²

C15: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch smelten; related to Old High German smelzan to melt

Example Sentences

He has said the resource is “horribly mismanaged” in California and has promised to turn on a massive “faucet” for farmers and cities — partly by weakening environmental protections for such species as the Delta smelt.

From Los Angeles Times

In California’s Delta, there are threatened and endangered fish species, including steelhead trout, two types of Chinook salmon, longfin smelt, Delta smelt and green sturgeon.

From Los Angeles Times

"I was confused because I have never smelt anything like that."

From BBC

The researchers suggest that communities may have chosen to settle in Tugunbulak and Tashbulak to tap strong winds to fuel fires needed to smelt iron ores - which the region was rich in.

From BBC

It wasn’t a horrible odour, but not like something I had smelt before.

From BBC

Related Words

• bake
• boil
• broil
• grill
• ignite
• melt
• reheat
• roast
• sear
• steam
• thaw
• toast
• warm