smelt
|smelt|
/smɛlt/
melting to extract metal
Etymology
'smelt' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'smeltan', where 'smeltan' meant 'to melt'.
'smelt' changed from the Old English word 'smeltan' (and Middle English 'smelten') and eventually became the modern English word 'smelt'.
Initially, it meant 'to melt', but over time it evolved into the more specialised modern meaning 'to extract metal by heating and melting' (and also became the name of a small fish).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small silvery fish of the family Osmeridae, found in northern oceans and fresh waters.
He caught a smelt from the lake.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to extract (a metal) from its ore by a process involving heating and melting; to melt in order to separate the metal.
They smelt iron ore in a blast furnace.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 2
past tense or past participle form of 'smell'.
She smelt smoke coming from the kitchen.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/13 16:48