smelt

¹

[smelt]

verb (used with object)

1. to fuse or melt (ore) in order to separate the metal contained.

2. to obtain or refine (metal) in this way.

smelt

²

[smelt]

noun

plural

smelt ,

plural

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, especially certain silversides, of California.

smelt

³

[smelt]

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of smell.

smelt

¹

/ smɛlt /

verb

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

smelt

²

/ smɛlt /

noun

1. 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

smelt

³

/ smɛlt /

verb

1. a past tense and past participle of smell

smelt

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of smelt¹

First recorded in 1535–45; probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German smelten; cognate with German schmelzen “to melt, smelt, fuse”; melt ¹,

Origin of smelt²

First recorded before 900; Middle English smelt(e), smelth, Old English smelt, smylt; compare Norwegian smelta “whiting”

Word History and Origins

Origin of smelt¹

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

Origin of smelt²

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

Example Sentences

"The worst part was the water. It smelt like sewage. We drank as little as possible."

From BBC

During the inquest, next door neighbour Claire Bennett told the jury she had smelt gas in the vicinity for about a fortnight before the blast.

From BBC

The others include rules governing mercury and air toxics; polymers and resins; rubber tires; copper smelting; and coal power, among others.

From Los Angeles Times

"Mum had seen the situation there, smelt the smells, seen the sights, seen the crash site. I think for her that made it more real to be able to see that."

From BBC

Michael Holding, covering the match for Sky Sports, received "tons of phone calls and letters" over something he said on air during a commentary stint, having smelt a rat.

From BBC

Related Words

• bake 
• boil 
• broil 
• grill 
• ignite 
• melt 
• reheat 
• roast 
• sear 
• steam 
• thaw 
• toast 
• warm