Mackerel sky

Mackerel sky
Mackerel Mack`er*el, n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau (LL. macarellus), prob. for maclereau, fr. L. macula a spot, in allusion to the markings on the fish. See {Mail} armor.] (Zo["o]l.) 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. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common mackerel ({Scomber scombrus}), which inhabits both sides of the North Atlantic, is one of the most important food fishes. It is mottled with green and blue. The Spanish mackerel ({Scomberomorus maculatus}), of the American coast, is covered with bright yellow circular spots. [1913 Webster]

{Bull mackerel}, {Chub mackerel}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Chub}.

{Frigate mackerel}. See under {Frigate}.

{Horse mackerel} . See under {Horse}.

{Mackerel bird} (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck; -- so called because it arrives in England at the time when mackerel are in season.

{Mackerel cock} (Zo["o]l.), the Manx shearwater; -- so called because it precedes the appearance of the mackerel on the east coast of Ireland.

{Mackerel guide}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Garfish} (a) .

{Mackerel gull} (Zo["o]l.) any one of several species of gull which feed upon or follow mackerel, as the kittiwake.

{Mackerel midge} (Zo["o]l.), 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. --Knight.

{Mackerel shark} (Zo["o]l.), the porbeagle.

{Mackerel sky}, or {Mackerel-back sky}, a sky flecked with small white clouds; a cirro-cumulus. See {Cloud}. [1913 Webster]

Mackerel sky and mare's-tails Make tall ships carry low sails. --Old Rhyme. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • mackerel sky — n. A sky filled with rows of cirrocumulus or small altocumulus clouds. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mackerel sky — n. a sky covered with rows of small, fleecy, cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds, suggesting the streaks on a mackerel s back …   English World dictionary

  • mackerel sky — a type of altocumulus clouds, indicating moisture and instability; hence the saying Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, Never long wet and never long dry . Presumably named for the wavy pattern as seen on mackerel flanks …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • mackerel sky — sky dappled with small cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds that look like the markings of mackerel …   English contemporary dictionary

  • mackerel sky — mack′erel sky′ n. mer a sky marked by cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds scattered like the markings on a mackerel s back • Etymology: 1660–70 …   From formal English to slang

  • mackerel sky — noun Date: 1667 a sky covered with rows of altocumulus or cirrocumulus clouds resembling the patterns on a mackerel s back …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mackerel sky — noun a sky filled with a regular pattern of altocumulus clouds somewhat resembling the skin of a mackerel …   Wiktionary

  • mackerel sky — A condition in which there are rows of altocumulus or cirrocumulus clouds in the sky, which look like scales of a mackerel fish …   Aviation dictionary

  • mackerel sky — noun a sky dappled with rows of small white fleecy (typically cirrocumulus) clouds, like the pattern on a mackerel s back …   English new terms dictionary

  • mackerel sky — /mækərəl ˈskaɪ/ (say makuhruhl skuy) noun 1. sky nearly covered with high, small, white, fleecy clouds arranged in bands. 2. an extensive group of altocumulus clouds arranged in regular waves with blue sky showing in the gaps …  

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