smelt 1
/smelt/ , v.t.
1. to fuse or melt (ore) in order to separate the metal contained.
2. to obtain or refine (metal) in this way.
[ 1535-45; prob. smelten; c. G schmelzen to MELT 1 , smelt ]
smelt 2
/smelt/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) smelt , ( esp. 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, esp. certain silversides, of California.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE; cf. Norw smelta whiting ]
smelt 3
/smelt/ , v.
a pt. and pp. of smell .