capelin

2 definitions found

capelin - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Capelin \Cape"lin\, n. [Cf. F. capelan, caplan.] (Zool.)
     Either of two small marine fishes formerly classified in the
     family Salmonid[ae], now within the smelt family
     Osmeridae: Mallotus villosus, very abundant on the coasts
     of Greenland, Iceland, Newfoundland, and Alaska; or Mallotus catervarius
     , found in the North Pacific. The Atlantic
     variety has been used as a bait for the cod. [Written also
     capelan and caplin.]
     [1913 Webster + PJC]
  
     Note: This fish, which is like a smelt, is called by the
           Spaniards anchova, and by the Portuguese capelina.
           However the anchovy used as a food is a different
           fish. --Fisheries of U. S. (1884).
           [1913 Webster + PJC]

capelin - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  capelin
      n 1: very small northern fish; forage for sea birds and marine
           mammals and other fishes [syn: capelin, capelan,
           caplin]