NARWHAL

narwhal, narwal, narwhale, Monodon monoceros

(noun) small Arctic whale the male having a long spiral ivory tusk

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

narwhal (plural narwhals or narwhal)

Monodon monoceros, an Arctic cetacean that grows to about 20 feet (6 meters) long, the male having a single horn-like tusk, a twisted, pointed canine tooth that projects forward.

Synonym: sea unicorn

Source: Wiktionary


Nar"whal, n. Etym: [Sw. or Dan. narvhal; akin to Icel. nahvalr, and E. whale. the first syllable is perh. from Icel. nar corpse, dead body, in allusion to the whitish color its skin. See Whale.] [Written also narwhale.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: An arctic cetacean (Monodon monocerous), about twenty feet long. The male usually has one long, twisted, pointed canine tooth, or tusk projecting forward from the upper jaw like a horn, whence it is called also sea unicorn, unicorn fish, and unicorn whale. Sometimes two horns are developed, side by side.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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