ˈ ̷ ̷d ə lˌfish noun
Etymology: so called from the use of the fish as a candle by American Indians
1. : a marine fish ( Thaleichthys pacificus ) of the north Pacific coast related to the smelt, highly esteemed as a food fish, and so oily that when dried its body may be equipped with a wick and used as a candle — called also eulachon
2. : sablefish
3. southern Africa : halfbeak