View synonyms for baleen

baleen

[ buh-leen ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an elastic, horny substance growing in place of teeth in the upper jaw of certain whales, and forming a series of thin, parallel plates on each side of the palate; whalebone.

baleen

/ bəˈliːn /

noun

whalebone

baleen

/ bə-lēn′ /

A flexible horny substance hanging in fringed plates from the upper jaw of baleen whales. It is used to strain plankton from seawater when feeding.
Also called whalebone

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Word History and Origins

Origin of baleen¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English balene (from Anglo-French baleine, beleine, ) from Latin bal(l)ēna, variant of bal(l)aena “whale,” from an unidentified language, also the source of Greek phál(l)aina “whale”; replacing Middle English balayn, Middle French balaine “whale(bone),” from Latin, as above

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Word History and Origins

Origin of baleen¹

C14: from Latin bālaena whale; related to Greek phalaina whale

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Example Sentences

The ulna and radius in the rorquals are also comparatively longer than in the baleen whales.

From Project Gutenberg

In this respect it differs much from the baleen whales, which have a narrow gullet.

From Project Gutenberg

The baleen is then cut out, and the carcase abandoned to the sharks, killer whales, and sea birds.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of them grow to enormous size, far exceeding any of the baleen whales.

From Project Gutenberg

So, also, the baleen of the whale and the teeth of the land mammalia are different organs.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

bale cubic baleen whale

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