| porpoise | 1. <zoology> Any small cetacean of the genus Phocaena, especially P. Communis, or P. Phocaena, of Europe, and the closely allied American species (P. Americana). The colour is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They are closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter snout. Synonym: harbor porpoise, herring hag, puffing pig, and snuffer. 2. <zoology> A true dolphin (Delphinus); often so called by sailors. <zoology> Skunk porpoise, or Bay porpoise, a North American porpoise (Lagenorhynchus acutus), larger than the common species, and with broad stripes of white and yellow on the sides. Origin: OE. Porpeys, OF. Porpeis, literally, hog fish, from L. Porcus swine + piscis fish. See Pork, and Fish. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| porpoises | Mammals of the family phocoenidae comprising four genera and six species found in the north pacific ocean and both sides of the north atlantic ocean and in various other seas. They differ from dolphins in that porpoises have a blunt snout and a rather stocky body while dolphins have a beaklike snout and a slender, streamlined body. They usually travel in small groups. (12 Dec 1998) |