The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Baleen — or whalebone is the means by which baleen whales feed. These whales do not have teeth, but instead have rows of baleen plates in the upper jaw ndash; flat, flexible plates with frayed edges, arranged in two parallel rows, looking like combs of… … Wikipedia
baleen — [bə lēn′] n. [ME & OFr baleine < L ballaena < Gr phallaina, whale < phallos (see PHALLUS): so named from the shape of the whale] the horny, elastic plates that hang down in fringed, parallel columns from the upper jaw or palate of baleen … English World dictionary
baleen — early 14c., whalebone, from O.Fr. balaine (12c.) whale, whalebone, from L. ballaena, from Gk. phallaina whale (apparently related to phallos swollen penis, probably because of a whale s shape), from PIE root *bhel (2) to blow, inflate, swell (see … Etymology dictionary
baleen — ► NOUN ▪ whalebone. ORIGIN Latin balaena whale … English terms dictionary
baleen — noun Etymology: Middle English baleine whale, baleen, from Latin balaena whale; akin to Greek phallaina whale Date: 14th century a horny keratinous substance found in two rows of transverse plates which hang down from the upper jaws of baleen… … New Collegiate Dictionary
baleen — noun a) The plates in the mouth of the baleen whale, Mystacoceti, which it uses to trap its food; formerly used in corsetry b) a baleen whale Syn: whalebone … Wiktionary
baleen — n. whalebone. Phrases and idioms: baleen whale any of various whales of the suborder Mysticeti, having plates of baleen fringed with bristles for straining plankton from the water. Etymology: ME f. OF baleine f. L balaena whale … Useful english dictionary
Baleen whale — Baleen whales[1] Temporal range: latest Eocene – Recent … Wikipedia
baleen whale — n. any of an order (Mysticeta) of whales with toothless jaws, baleen in the mouth, and a symmetrical skull, consisting of the gray whale, the right whales, and rorquals * * * Any of about 13 species of cetaceans in the suborder Mysticeti. They… … Universalium
baleen whale — n. any of an order (Mysticeta) of whales with toothless jaws, baleen in the mouth, and a symmetrical skull, consisting of the gray whale, the right whales, and rorquals … English World dictionary
