dolphin

dolphin
dolphin dol"phin (d[o^]l"f[i^]n), n. [F. dauphin dolphin, dauphin, earlier spelt also doffin; cf. OF. dalphinal of the dauphin; fr. L. delphinus, Gr. delfi`s a dolphin (in senses 1, 2, 3, & 6), perh. properly, belly fish; cf. delfy`s womb, Skr. garbha; perh. akin to E. calf. Cf. {Dauphin}, {Delphine}.] 1. (Zool.) A cetacean of the genus {Delphinus} and allied genera (esp. {Delphinus delphis}); the true dolphin. [1913 Webster]

Note: The dolphin of the ancients ({Delphinus delphis}) is common in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, and attains a length of from six to eight feet. [1913 Webster]

2. (Zool.) The {Coryph[ae]na hippuris}, a fish of about five feet in length, celebrated for its surprising changes of color when dying. It is the fish commonly known as the dolphin. The term is also applied to the related {Coryphaena equisetis}. Called also {dolphinfish} and (especially in Hawaii) {mahimahi}. See also {dolphinfish} and {Coryph[ae]noid}.

Syn: dolphinfish, mahimahi. [1913 Webster +PJC]

3. [Gr. delfi`s] (Gr. Antiq.) A mass of iron or lead hung from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped on the deck of an enemy's vessel. [1913 Webster]

4. (Naut.) (a) A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage. (b) A spar or buoy held by an anchor and furnished with a ring to which ships may fasten their cables. --R. H. Dana. (c) A mooring post on a wharf or beach. (d) A permanent fender around a heavy boat just below the gunwale. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]

5. (Gun.) In old ordnance, one of the handles above the trunnions by which a cannon was lifted. [1913 Webster]

6. (Astron.) A small constellation between Aquila and Pegasus. See {Delphinus}, n., 2. [1913 Webster]

{Dolphin fly} (Zo["o]l.), the black, bean, or collier, Aphis ({Aphis fable}), destructive to beans.

{Dolphin striker} (Naut.), a short vertical spar under the bowsprit. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • dolphin — (n.) mid 14c., from O.Fr. daulphin, from M.L. dolfinus, from L. delphinus dolphin, from Gk. delphis (gen. delphinos) dolphin, related to delphys womb, perhaps via notion of the animal bearing live young, or from its shape, from PIE *gwelbh .… …   Etymology dictionary

  • dolphin — [däl′fin, dôl′fin] n. [ME dolfin < OFr dalphin < VL dalfinus, for L delphinus < Gr delphinos, gen. of delphis (< IE base * gwelbh ): so named from its shape] 1. any of two widespread families (Platanistidae and Delphinidae) of toothed …   English World dictionary

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