smolt

Etymology 1

From Middle English smolt, smylt, from Old English smolt, smeolt (“mild, peaceful, serene, still, gentle, clear, bright”), from Proto-Germanic *smultaz, *smeltaz (“quiet, gentle”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meld- (“to beat, grind, crush, make weak”). Cognate with Scots smolt (“calm”), Old Saxon smultro (“quiet”), Middle Dutch smolt, smout (“weak, gentle, quiet”), Middle High German smolz (“dear, lovely, beautiful, sheen”).

adj

  1. (UK dialectal) Bright; serene.
  2. (UK dialectal, of weather) Calm; fine; fair.
  3. (UK dialectal) Smooth and shining.

Etymology 2

Probably an alteration of smelt, due to smolt (“smooth”). See above.

noun

  1. A young salmon two or three years old, when it has acquired its silvery color.

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