Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Mackerel
Mack′er-el
,Noun.
[OF.
maquerel
, F. maquereau
, fr. D. makelaar
mediator, agent, fr. makelen
to act as agent.] A pimp; also, a bawd.
[Obs.]
Halliwell.
Mackˊer-el
,Noun.
[OF.
maquerel
, F. maquereau
(LL. macarellus
), prob. for maclereau
, fr. L. macula
a spot, in allusion to the markings on the fish. See Mail
armor.] (Zool.)
Any species of the genus
Scomber
of the family Scombridae
, and of several related genera. They are finely formed and very active oceanic fishes. Most of them are highly prized for food. ☞ The common mackerel (
Scomber scombrus
), which inhabits both sides of the North Atlantic, is one of the most important food fishes. It is mottled with green and blue. The Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus
), of the American coast, is covered with bright yellow circular spots. Bull mackerel
, Chub mackerel
(Zool.)
See under
– Chub
. Frigate mackerel
. See under
– Frigate
. Horse mackerel
. See under
– Horse
. Mackerel bird
(Zool.)
, the wryneck; – so called because it arrives in England at the time when mackerel are in season.
– Mackerel cock
(Zool.)
, the Manx shearwater; – so called because it precedes the appearance of the mackerel on the east coast of Ireland.
– Mackerel guide
. (Zool.)
See
– Garfish
(a)
. Mackerel gull
(Zool.)
any one of several species of gull which feed upon or follow mackerel, as the kittiwake.
– Mackerel midge
(Zool.)
, a very small oceanic gadoid fish of the North Atlantic. It is about an inch and a half long and has four barbels on the upper jaw. It is now considered the young of the genus
– Onos
, or Motella
. Mackerel plow
, an instrument for creasing the sides of lean mackerel to improve their appearance.
Knight.
– Mackerel shark
(Zool.)
, the porbeagle.
– Mackerel sky
, or Mackerel-back sky
a sky flecked with small white clouds; a cirro-cumulus. See
Cloud
.Mackerel sky
and mare’s-tailsMake tall ships carry low sails.
Old Rhyme.
Webster 1828 Edition
Mackerel
MACK'EREL
,Noun.
A species of fish of the genus Scomber, an excellent table fish.
MACK'EREL
,Noun.
Mackerel-gale, in Dryden, may mean a gate that ripples the surface of the sea, or one which is suitable for catching mackerel, as this fish is caught with the bait in motion.