grilse

[ grils ]

noun,plural grils·es, (especially collectively) grilse.
  1. a young Atlantic salmon as it returns from the sea to fresh water for the first time.

Origin of grilse

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English grills, grilles (plural); further origin unknown

Words Nearby grilse

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How to use grilse in a sentence

  • They are now promoted to the name of grilse, and attain the rank of salmon on their second and all subsequent migrations.

  • All my line had been taken out, the gut collar had been snapped, and the fly had undoubtedly been carried off by the grilse.

    Creatures of the Night | Alfred W. Rees
  • I then stopped, and, lengthening my line at each successive “throw,” sent my fly nearer and still nearer to the grilse.

    Creatures of the Night | Alfred W. Rees
  • But there was still a grilse that rose to a big March brown in the shrunken stream below Elibank.

  • In this way not only are large trout often taken in a flood, but sea trout, grilse, and sometimes salmon.

British Dictionary definitions for grilse

grilse

/ (ɡrɪls) /


nounplural grilses or grilse
  1. a young salmon that returns to fresh water after one winter in the sea

Origin of grilse

1
C15 grilles (plural), of uncertain origin

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