smelt

1
[ smelt ]
/ smɛlt /

verb (used with object)

to fuse or melt (ore) in order to separate the metal contained.
to obtain or refine (metal) in this way.

Origin of smelt

1
1535–45; probably < Middle Dutch or Middle Low German smelten; cognate with German schmelzen to melt1, smelt

Definition for smelt (2 of 4)

smelt 2
[ smelt ]
/ smɛlt /

noun, plural (especially collectively) smelt, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) smelts.

any of various small, silvery food fishes of the family Osmeridae, of cold northern waters, as the North American rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax.
any of several superficially similar but unrelated fishes, especially certain silversides, of California.

Origin of smelt

2
before 900; Middle English, Old English; compare Norwegian smelta whiting

Definition for smelt (3 of 4)

smelt 3
[ smelt ]
/ smɛlt /

verb

a simple past tense and past participle of smell.

Definition for smelt (4 of 4)

Origin of smell

1125–75; early Middle English smell, smull (noun), smellen, smullen (v.) < ?

SYNONYMS FOR smell

13 See odor.

OTHER WORDS FROM smell

Example sentences from the Web for smelt

British Dictionary definitions for smelt (1 of 4)

smelt 1
/ (smɛlt) /

verb

(tr) to extract (a metal) from (an ore) by heating

Word Origin for smelt

C15: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch smelten; related to Old High German smelzan to melt

British Dictionary definitions for smelt (2 of 4)

smelt 2
/ (smɛlt) /

noun plural smelt or smelts

any marine or freshwater salmonoid food fish of the family Osmeridae, such as Osmerus eperlanus of Europe, having a long silvery body and occurring in temperate and cold northern waters

Word Origin for smelt

Old English smylt; related to Dutch, Danish smelt, Norwegian smelta, German Schmelz

British Dictionary definitions for smelt (3 of 4)

smelt 3
/ (smɛlt) /

verb

a past tense and past participle of smell

British Dictionary definitions for smelt (4 of 4)

smell
/ (smɛl) /

verb smells, smelling, smelt or smelled

noun

Derived forms of smell

smeller, noun

Word Origin for smell

C12: of uncertain origin; compare Middle Dutch smölen to scorch

Medical definitions for smelt

smell
[ smĕl ]

v.

To perceive the scent of something by means of the olfactory nerves.

n.

The sense by which odors are perceived; the olfactory sense.

Scientific definitions for smelt

smelt
[ smĕlt ]

To melt ores in order to extract the metals they contain. Oxide ores, such as iron ore, are smelted with carbon, which serves as a fuel and changes the ore into a reduced metal.

Idioms and Phrases with smelt

smell