whale
UK: weɪl | US: weɪl
n. a very large marine mammal with a streamlined body, a horizontal tail fin, and a blowhole on top of the head for breathing.
vt. to hunt or fish for whales.
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The word "whale" originates from Old English hwæl, which referred to any large sea creature, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises. It shares roots with Old Norse hvalr and Dutch walvis, all derived from Proto-Germanic *hwalaz. The term has retained its core meaning over centuries, narrowing to specifically denote large cetaceans in modern usage. Its compact structure reflects its ancient Germanic origins, making it non-splittable into smaller morphemes in English.
The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth.
We spotted a humpback whale breaching off the coast.
In the 19th century, many ships sailed to hunt whale for oil.
Whale songs can travel hundreds of miles underwater.
Conservation efforts aim to protect endangered whale species.