Mackerel /(?)/

Mack·er·el

Mackerel

n.
  1. A pimp; also, a bawd. [Obs.]

Mackerel

n.
  1. 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. (Zool.)
    Mackerel sky and mare's-tails Make tall ships carry low sails.
    — Old Rhyme.

Phrases & Compounds

Bull mackerel
See under Chub.
Frigate mackerel
See under Frigate.
Horse mackerel
See under Horse.
Mackerel bird
the wryneck; -- so called because it arrives in England at the time when mackerel are in season.
Mackerel cock
the Manx shearwater; -- so called because it precedes the appearance of the mackerel on the east coast of Ireland.
Mackerel guide
See Garfish (a).
Mackerel gull
any one of several species of gull which feed upon or follow mackerel, as the kittiwake.
Mackerel midge
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.
Mackerel shark
the porbeagle.
Mackerel sky
a sky flecked with small white clouds; a cirro-cumulus. See Cloud.