Mackerel

n. [O. Fr. maquerel, N. Fr. maquereau, L. Lat. maquerellus, D. & Dan. makreel, Sw. makrill, Ger. makrele, not the spotted fish, corrupted for Fr. maclereau, from Lat. macula, a spot, but from the next word below, there being a popular tradition in France that this fish in spring follows the female shads, which are called vierges, or maids, and leads them to their mates.] (Ichth.) A marine fish of the genus Scomber (S. vulgaris or scomber), spotted with blue, and largely used for food. It is found in the North Atlantic. Mackerel-gale, either a gale that ripples the surface of the sea, or one which is suitable for catching mackerel, as this fish is caught with the bait in motion. — Mackerel-mint (Bot.), spearmint. — Mackerel-sky, or Mackerel-back-sky, a sky in which the clouds have the form called cirro-cumulus; that is, are broken into fleecy masses, usually believed to portend wind and rain.