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Mackerel plow

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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}, and of several related
   genera. They are finely formed and very active oceanic
   fishes. Most of them are highly prized for food.

   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.

   {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}.

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

Plow \Plow\, Plough \Plough\ (plou), n. [OE. plouh, plou, AS.
   pl[=o]h; akin to D. ploeg, G. pflug, OHG. pfluog, pfluoh,
   Icel. pl[=o]gr, Sw. plog, Dan. ploug, plov, Russ. plug',
   Lith. plugas.]
   1. A well-known implement, drawn by horses, mules, oxen, or
      other power, for turning up the soil to prepare it for
      bearing crops; also used to furrow or break up the soil
      for other purposes; as, the subsoil plow; the draining
      plow.

            Where fern succeeds ungrateful to the plow.
                                                  --Dryden.

   2. Fig.: Agriculture; husbandry. --Johnson.

   3. A carucate of land; a plowland. [Obs.] [Eng.]

            Johan, mine eldest son, shall have plowes five.
                                                  --Tale of
                                                  Gamelyn.

   4. A joiner's plane for making grooves; a grooving plane.

   5. (Bookbinding) An implement for trimming or shaving off the
      edges of books.

   6. (Astron.) Same as {Charles's Wain}.

   {Ice plow}, a plow used for cutting ice on rivers, ponds,
      etc., into cakes suitable for storing. [U. S.]

   {Mackerel plow}. See under {Mackerel}.

   {Plow alms}, a penny formerly paid by every plowland to the
      church. --Cowell.

   {Plow beam}, that part of the frame of a plow to which the
      draught is applied. See {Beam}, n., 9.

   {Plow Monday}, the Monday after Twelth Day, or the end of
      Christmas holidays.

   {Plow staff}.
      (a) A kind of long-handled spade or paddle for cleaning
          the plowshare; a paddle staff.
      (b) A plow handle.

   {Snow plow}, a structure, usually [Lambda]-shaped, for
      removing snow from sidewalks, railroads, etc., -- drawn or
      driven by a horse or a locomotive.
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