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Whale: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‹
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whale

 

[ weษชl ]

Noun
The animal kingdom
Context #1 | Noun

marine animal

A whale is a large marine mammal that belongs to the order Cetacea. Whales are known for their size, some species being among the largest animals to have ever existed. They are warm-blooded, breathe air through lungs, and are known for their complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Synonyms

cetacean, marine mammal, sea creature.

Examples of usage

  • The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet.
  • Whales can often be seen breaching the surface of the ocean.
  • Many cultures have rich histories of whaling.
  • Whale watching has become a popular tourist activity.
  • Some whales, like the humpback, are known for their songs.

Translations

Translations of the word "whale" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น baleia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเฅเคนเฅ‡เคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ paus

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะธั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wieloryb

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ฏใ‚ธใƒฉ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท baleine

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ballena

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท balina

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ณ ๋ž˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุญูˆุช

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ velryba

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ velryba

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ฒธ้ฑผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kit

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hvalur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะธั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ•แƒแƒฎแƒขแƒแƒœแƒ’แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ balina

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ballena

Etymology

The word 'whale' comes from the Old English word 'hwรฆl', which is derived from the Proto-Germanic '*hwalaz'. This term has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as 'Wahl' in German and 'wal' in Dutch, all referring to the same marine animal. Whales have been known to humanity for thousands of years, and they have played significant roles in various cultures, from mythology to early hunting practices. Over time, the term 'whale' has been used to describe a diverse group of large marine mammals, which includes species like the orca, beluga, and sperm whale. The study of whales, known as cetology, has expanded significantly over the last century, leading to a greater understanding of their behaviors, communication, and the threats they face due to human activities.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,287 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.