whitebait

[ hwahyt-beyt, wahyt- ]

noun

, plural white·bait.

1. a young sprat or herring.
2. Cooking. any small, delicate fish cooked whole without being cleaned, especially the sprat.

whitebait

/ ˈwaɪtˌbeɪt /

noun

1. the young of herrings, sprats, etc, cooked and eaten whole as a delicacy
2. any of various small silvery fishes, such as Galaxias attenuatus of Australia and New Zealand and Allosmerus elongatus of North American coastal regions of the Pacific

Word History and Origins

Origin of whitebait¹

First recorded in 1750–60; white + bait, so called from use as bait

Word History and Origins

Origin of whitebait¹

C18: from its formerly having been used as bait

Example Sentences

These worms were generally grilled on hot stones, and eaten several at a time like small whitebait.

From Project Gutenberg

Also deviled whitebait; also shrimps of choice quality; and a platter of small soft-shell crabs of a most superior breed.

From Project Gutenberg

Never mind the whitebait now, sweet'eart, when we're going to be spliced this afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

Consomm and whitebait, bœuf rti and haricots vert and crme de crises succeeded one another in deepening gloom.

From Project Gutenberg

They also caught Margaret with a lot of other whitebait; and she was eaten by a barrister at "Claridge's."

From Project Gutenberg