[smelt] n, pl smelts or smelt [ME, fr. OE; akin to Norw smelte whiting] (bef. 12c): any of a family (Osmeridae) of small salmonoid 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
[2]smelt vt [D or LG smelten; akin to OHG smelzan to melt, OE meltan--more at melt] (1543) 1: to melt or fuse (as ore) often with an accompanying chemical change usu. to separate the metal
2: refine, reduce