capelin

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: cap=e=lin

CIDE DICTIONARY

capelin, n. [Cf. F. capelan, caplan.].

 Either of two small marine fishes formerly classified in the family Salmonidæ, now within the smelt family Osmeridae: Mallotus villosus, very abundant on the coasts of Greenland, Iceland, Newfoundland, and Alaska; or Mallotus catervarius, found in the North Pacific. The Atlantic variety has been used as a bait for the cod.  [1913 Webster]
" This fish, which is like a smelt, is called by the Spaniards anchova, and by the Portuguese capelina. However the anchovy used as a food is a different fish."  Fisheries of U. S. (1884).  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

capelin, n. (also caplin) a small smeltlike fish, Mallotus villosus, of the N. Atlantic, used as food and as bait for catching cod etc.

Etymology

F f. Prov. capelan: see CHAPLAIN