mackerel
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a sea fish with oily meat and a silver skin with dark stripes.
any of various predatory marine fish, especially Scomber scombrus, valued as a food source for its high oil content and distinctive iridescent markings.
Simple“We grilled fresh mackerel on the barbecue and served it with lemon.”
In context“The local economy relies heavily on the seasonal migration of mackerel, which brings large shoals into the coastal waters every summer.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
a pattern of small, wavy clouds that looks like the scales of a fish.
a sky pattern consisting of rows of small cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds, resembling the markings on a mackerel's back.
Simple“The sailor looked up at the mackerel sky and predicted a change in the weather.”
In context“A classic mackerel sky often precedes an approaching warm front, signaling a shift in atmospheric pressure within the next twenty-four hours.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a person who controls or manages prostitutes.
a person who procures customers for prostitutes or a brothel.
Simple“The old play featured a character who acted as a mackerel for the local tavern.”
In context“In early modern English literature, the term mackerel was frequently employed as a derogatory label for those involved in the procurement of illicit services.”
UsageThis sense is entirely obsolete in modern speech and is only encountered in historical texts.
Synonymspimpprocurer
“While the orca pod can devour 1,000 mackerel in a day, fishers far outdo that.”
From Middle English mackerell, macrell, macrelle, makarell, makerel, makerell, makerelle, makrel, makrell, makyrelle, from Old French maquerel. Further origin unknown.
From Middle English makerel, maquerel, from Old French maquerel, from Middle Dutch makelare, makelaer (“broker”) (> makelaar (“broker, peddler”)). See also French maquereau.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.