Definition: mackerel

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

mackerel
     n 1: flesh of very important usually small (to 18 in) fatty
          Atlantic fish
     2: any of various fishes of the family Scombridae

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Mackerel \Mack"er*el\, n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau, fr. D.
   makelaar mediator, agent, fr. makelen to act as agent.]
   A pimp; also, a bawd. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
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.