sparling
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sparling — [spär′liŋ] n. pl. sparling or sparlings [ME sperlynge < MFr esperlinge < MDu spirlinc, orig. dim. of spīr, a small point, grass shoot: see SPIRE2] a European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) … English World dictionary
Sparling — Spar ling, n. [Akin to G. spierling, spiering, D. spiering: cf. F. [ e]perlan.] (Zo[ o]l.) (a) The European smelt ({Osmerus eperlanus}). (b) A young salmon. (c) A tern. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
sparling — Smelt Smelt, n. [AS. smelt, smylt; akin to Dan. smelt.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small silvery salmonoid fishes of the genus {Osmerus} and allied genera, which ascend rivers to spawn, and sometimes become landlocked in lakes.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Sparling — Recorded as Sparling, Sperling, and Spurling, this is an English surname of pre 7th century origins. It is believed to originate from the Olde English personal name Spyrling of obscure meaning. It is probably a diminutive of Spearr , a personal… … Surnames reference
sparling fowl — noun Etymology: sparling dialect England : merganser … Useful english dictionary
sparling — noun an edible smelt (fish) which migrates into fresh water to spawn. [Osmerus eperlanus.] Origin ME: shortening of OFr. esperlinge, of Gmc origin … English new terms dictionary
sparling — spar·ling … English syllables
sparling — spar•ling [[t]ˈspɑr lɪŋ[/t]] n. pl. lings, (esp. collectively) ling. ich the European smelt Osmerus eperlanus[/ex] • Etymology: 1275–1325; ME sperlynge < OF esperlinge < Gmc; cf. G Spierling … From formal English to slang
sparling — /ˈspalɪŋ/ (say spahling) noun the European smelt, Osmerus eperlanus. {Middle English sperlyng(e), from Old French esperlinge, of Germanic origin} …
sparling — n. a European smelt, Osmerus eperlanus. Etymology: ME f. OF esperlinge, of Gmc orig … Useful english dictionary
