baleen
Americannoun
noun
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A flexible horny substance hanging in fringed plates from the upper jaw of baleen whales. It is used to strain plankton from seawater when feeding.
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Also called whalebone
Etymology
Origin of baleen
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English balene (from Anglo-French baleine, beleine, ) from Latin bal(l)ēna, variant of bal(l)aena “whale,” from an unidentified language, also the source of Greek phál(l)aina “whale”; replacing Middle English balayn, Middle French balaine “whale(bone),” from Latin, as above
Vocabulary lists containing baleen
Marine Biology - Introductory
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Marine Biology - Middle School
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Marine Biology - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Baleen whales are the largest animals to have ever roamed our planet and as top predators play a vital role in marine ecosystems.
From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024
Baleen whales, instead, have a large U-shaped structure with a cushion of fat at the top of the larynx.
From BBC • Feb. 21, 2024
Baleen species are believed to like having their heads scratched—gray whales are known for approaching whale watching boats for a tickle on the nose.
From National Geographic • Oct. 9, 2023
Baleen does not lend itself well to fossilization and none was found in the Hupehsuchus fossils.
From Reuters • Aug. 8, 2023
Baleen plates, no. bristles/cm over 5 cm 49a.
From Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic A Guide to Their Identification by Caldwell, David
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
