splake: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Specialist (Ichthyology, Fishing), Informal (when used metaphorically)
Quick answer
What does “splake” mean?
A hybrid freshwater fish, created by crossing a male brook trout and a female lake trout.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hybrid freshwater fish, created by crossing a male brook trout and a female lake trout.
The term can be used informally to refer to something that is a mixture or hybrid of two distinct things, by analogy with the fish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more common in North America, particularly Canada and the northern US, where the parent species co-exist. It is extremely rare in British English, where the fish is not native.
Connotations
In North America, it connotes a stocked game fish and deliberate hybridisation. In the UK, it is essentially unknown outside specialised circles.
Frequency
High frequency in relevant North American contexts (fishing reports, stocking programmes); virtually zero frequency in general British English.
Grammar
How to Use “splake” in a Sentence
to stock (a lake) with splaketo fish for splakea splake is (a hybrid)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “splake” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- The splake programme has been very successful in this lake.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in fisheries science papers discussing hybridisation, stocking efficacy, or population genetics.
Everyday
Used in conversation among anglers in relevant regions; otherwise unknown.
Technical
A standard term in aquaculture, fisheries management, and angling literature for the specific Salvelinus hybrid.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “splake”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “splake”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “splake”
- Misspelling as 'spake' or 'splaque'. Using it as a general term for any trout.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a genuine, deliberate hybrid between two species of char (brook trout and lake trout).
Splake are often sterile, but some fertile individuals have been documented, which is a concern for fisheries managers.
Primarily in stocked lakes and reservoirs in Canada and the northern United States.
The name is a portmanteau of 'speckled trout' (a common name for brook trout) and 'lake trout'.
A hybrid freshwater fish, created by crossing a male brook trout and a female lake trout.
Splake is usually technical/specialist (ichthyology, fishing), informal (when used metaphorically) in register.
Splake: in British English it is pronounced /spleɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /spleɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'splashing' lake trout with brook trout qualities to create a 'splake'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HYBRIDITY IS A BLEND (of two source names: 'speckled' trout + 'lake' trout).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'splake' most appropriately used?