Whaler: meaning, definitions and examples

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whaler

 

[ หˆweษชlษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

occupation, marine

A whaler is a person or vessel engaged in the hunting of whales for their oil, meat, or other products. Historically, whalers were significant in the 18th and 19th centuries, as whale oil was a crucial source of lighting and lubricant. The industry has drastically reduced due to overhunting and international bans on whaling, but some regions still engage in whaling under regulated conditions. Whalers often used large ships called whaling boats, equipped with harpoons and other specialized equipment to capture and process whales.

Synonyms

fisherman, whaling crew, whaling ship

Examples of usage

  • The whaler returned with a large catch of oil.
  • Whalers used to sail for months in search of their prey.
  • Many whalers learned their trade from older generations.
  • The life of a whaler was fraught with danger and hardship.

Translations

Translations of the word "whaler" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น baleieiro

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเฅเคนเฅ‡เคฒเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Walfรคnger

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pemburu ikan paus

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะธั‚ะพะปะพะฒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ whaler

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ•้ฏจ่€…

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท chasseur de baleines

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ballenero

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท balina avcฤฑsฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ณ ๋ž˜์žก์ด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตูŠุงุฏ ุงู„ุญูŠุชุงู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ velrybรกล™

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ veฤพrybรกr

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ•้ฒธ่€…

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kitolovec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hvalveiรฐimaรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะธั‚ ะฐัƒะปะฐัƒัˆั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒ˜แƒขแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜แƒก แƒ›แƒแƒœแƒแƒ“แƒ˜แƒ แƒ”

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ balina ovu

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ballenero

Word origin

The term 'whaler' originates from the Middle English word 'whal', which is derived from the Old English 'hwรฆl', meaning 'whale'. This Old English term is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, highlighting the deep Scandinavian roots associated with whaling activities. In its earliest usage, the word referred broadly to individuals who fished for various large marine animals but over time it became more specifically associated with those hunting whales. By the 17th century, whaling had developed into a commercial industry, leading to an increase in whaler settlements, particularly in coastal regions like Nantucket and New Bedford in America. The decline of the whaling industry began in the late 19th century due to the depletion of whale populations and the advent of alternatives to whale oil, such as kerosene and synthetic materials. Modern perceptions of whaling have shifted dramatically toward conservation, as many species of whales are now endangered due to historical overexploitation.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,612, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.