The English word "smelt" has the IPA phonetic transcription of /smɛlt/. This word is typically pronounced with the "e" being pronounced as "eh". However, there are variants of this word, such as "smelled" (/smɛld/), where the "e" is pronounced as "ehl". Additionally, "smelt" can also refer to a type of fish that is pronounced with the same "eh" sound as in the verb form. The spelling of "smelt" can be tricky because it is often confused with "melt" due to their similar spelling.
Smelt is a verb that can be used in several different contexts with slightly different meanings. One common definition of smelt is to extract metal from its ore by a process involving heat and the reduction of a substance. This refers to the act of separating metal from its ore by heating it to a high temperature in order to melt away impurities and obtain the pure metal. This use of the term is particularly common in the metallurgy industry, where metals like iron or copper are smelted to create usable materials.
Another definition of smelt refers to the act of melting or fusing substances together. It can be used in the context of combining two or more materials, often through heating, to create a new substance or to blend ingredients thoroughly. This sense of smelt is often used when discussing the manufacturing or creation of various products, such as glass, ceramics, or alloys.
Additionally, smelt can also refer to the action of perceiving or detecting a particular odor or smell. In this sense, it is often used to describe the act of sensing or detecting a strong or distinct scent, typically through the nose. This definition is more commonly employed in informal or colloquial contexts when discussing the perception of various aromas or fragrances.
In summary, smelt is a versatile verb that can describe the processes of extracting metal from its ore, melting or fusing substances, or perceiving odors or scents.
• Of smell, which see.
• A small fish of the salmon family; a sparling.
• To melt or fuse an ore for separating the metal; to fuse a metal.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "smelt" has an interesting etymology. It originated from the Old English word "smeltan", meaning "melt" or "render", which itself derived from the Proto-Germanic word "smeltaną". The Proto-Germanic root "smeltaną" ultimately came from the Proto-Indo-European root "*smeldh-", meaning "to burn", "to melt", or "to smelt".
In Old English, "smeltan" specifically referred to the act of melting metal, particularly ores in order to extract the metal. Over time, the word "smelt" came to be associated with the process of extracting metal from its ore by heating and melting it. The term also extended to describe a variety of other related processes involving melting or rendering substances, such as the smelting of iron, lead, or silver.