| narwhal | <zoology> 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. Origin: 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 colour its skin. See Whale Alternative forms: narwhale. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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