milter
(ˈmɪltə(r))
Also 7 meltere, 8 miltor.
[f. milt n. + -er1; perh. adopted from the equivalent Du. milter.]
a. A male fish, esp. in spawning time. b. = milt n. 3.
| 1601 Holland Pliny I. 245 If a man do the same with a female in spawning time, hee shall haue as many milters follow after her. 1653 Walton Angler viii. 164 Three Melters for one Spawner. 1718 Jacob Compl. Sportsman 121 The Spawner lays her Spawn, and upon it the Melter drops his Milk. 1758 Descr. Thames 172 Then the Male, or Miltor, advances, and covers the Spawn with his Belly. 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales I. 332 At this time also the melter is more easily distinguished from the roe. 1883 Blackw. Mag. Feb. 281 A greater stock of ‘Spawners’ and ‘Milters’ than its tributaries have room to contain. |