baleen
Keratinous material that makes up the plates in the mouth of the baleen whale, which…Keratinous material that makes up the plates in the mouth of the baleen whale (Mysticeti), which it uses to trap its food; formerly used in corsetry.
» Whales, dolphins and porpoises are divided into two groups: toothed and baleen.
Meaning
3 senses(uncountable)Keratinous material that makes up the plates in the mouth of the baleen whale (Mysticeti), which it uses to trap its food; formerly used in corsetry.
(countable)A baleen whale (Mysticeti).
Barte
кито́вый усkitóvyj us
кито́вий вусkytóvyj vus
(countable, obsolete, uncountable)Any whale or large fish.
- a horny material from the upper jaws of certain whales; used as the ribs of fans or as stays in corsets
Examples
2 sentencesWhales, dolphins and porpoises are divided into two groups: toothed and baleen.
These marine mammals, once hunted for their blubber and baleen, now support a thriving whale-watching industry.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English baleyne, from Old French baleine (“whale, whalebone”), from Latin balaFrom Middle English baleyne, from Old French baleine (“whale, whalebone”), from Latin balaena (“whale”), from Ancient Greek φάλαινα (phálaina, “whale”).
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Forms
plural: baleensSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable