I. ˈsmelt noun
( 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
II. transitive verb
Etymology: Dutch or Low German smelten; akin to Old High German smelzan to melt, Old English meltan — more at melt
Date: 1543
1. : to melt or fuse (as ore) often with an accompanying chemical change usually to separate the metal
2. : refine , reduce