milt

1 fish sperm or sperm-filled reproductive gland; having a creamy texture [syn: soft roe]

2 seminal fluid produced by male fish

English

Etymology

Old English milte.

Pronunciation

IPA: /mɪlt/

• Rhymes: -ɪlt

Noun

milt

1. the spleen, especially of a domestic animal

   • 1983: Adam Kadmon had pneumonia. Friar Goat cured it by tying a bullock’s milt to the soles of the lad’s feet, and burying the milt afterwards. Adam Kadmon immediately contracted the thrush. — Robert Nye, The Facts of Life

2. fish semen

Synonyms

• roe (2)

Translations

*Icelandic: svil

Danish

Noun

milt g Danish

1. spleen

Norwegian

Noun

1. spleen

Swedish

Adjective

1. neuter form of mild

Adverb

1. gently, mildly

For the alternate meaning of "milt" as "spleen", see Spleen. Milt is also the abbreviation for the orchid genus Miltonia.

Milt is the seminal fluid of fish, mollusks, and certain other water-dwelling animals who reproduce by spraying this fluid, which contains the sperm, onto roe (fish eggs).

The term also refers to the male genitalia of fish when they contain sperm. Herring milt, in particular, is used in Russian cuisine. It is pickled the same way as the rest of the fish, but eaten separately, sometimes combined with pickled herring roe.

The common Herring Milt, often sourced from the Pacific coast of Canada, are also more widely known as soft roe but in fact are not 'roe' (eggs) at all but the seminal sacks of the male fish. These are cheap to buy, packed with protein and make for a tasty snack. The most popular way to enjoy Herring Milts is to lightly season, dust with plain flour & fry lightly in butter or olive oil until golden brown. Best served on wholemeal toast.

References