jacksmelt

[ jak-smelt ]

noun

, plural jack·smelts, (especially collectively) jack·smelt.

1. a large silversides, Atherinopsis californiensis, found along the coast of California, that grows to a length of 22 inches (55 centimeters).

jacksmelt

/ ˈdʒækˌsmɛlt /

noun

1. a marine teleost food fish, Atherinopsis californiensis , of American coastal waters of the North Pacific: family Atherinidae (silversides)

Word History and Origins

Origin of jacksmelt¹

First recorded in 1945–50; jack ¹ + smelt ²