mid-15c. (implied in smelter), from Dutch or Low German smelten, from Proto-Germanic *smelt- (cognates: Old High German smelzan, German schmelzen "to melt"), from PIE *smeld-, variant of *mel- "soft." Thus the word is from a variant of the stem of Old English meltan "to melt" (see melt (v.)). Related: Smelted; smelting.
smelt (n.)
Old English smelt "sardine, small salmon-like sea fish," cognate with Dutch smelt "sand eel," Danish smelt (c. 1600). OED notes that it has a peculiar odor (but doesn't suggest a connection with smell); Klein suggests a connection with the way the fish melts in one's mouth. Century Dictionary speculates it means "smooth" and compares Old English smeolt, smylt "serene, smooth."
双语例句
1. The railway station smelt powerfully of cats and drains.
火车站上有冲鼻的猫味和臭水沟味。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He smelt the reek of whisky.
他身上一股威士忌味。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Somehow the place even smelt wonderfully nostalgic.
不知为什么，这个地方竟透出一种浓郁的怀旧气息。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The still air smelt faintly of furniture polish.
