sparling (redirected from sparlings)

spar·ling  (spärlng)

n.

1. The common European smelt (Osperus eperlanus).

2. A young or immature herring.

---

[Middle English sperlinge, from Old French esperlinge, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch spierlinc.]

---

sparling [ˈspɑːlɪŋ]

n pl -lings, -ling

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) another name for the European smelt (see smelt (the fish))

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) a young herring

[C14 sperlynge, from Old French esperling, from Middle Dutch spierlinc, from spier young shoot]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	sparling - common smelt of Europe European smelt Osmerus eperlanus, sparling, European smelt - the common smelt of Europe smelt - small cold-water silvery fish; migrate between salt and fresh water
	2.	sparling - the common smelt of Europe Osmerus eperlanus, European smelt smelt - small trout-like silvery marine or freshwater food fishes of cold northern waters genus Osmerus, Osmerus - type genus of the Osmeridae European smelt, sparling - common smelt of Europe