harp seal

noun

1. a northern earless seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus, with pale-yellow fur darkening to gray with age, of coasts, drifting ice, and seas of the North Atlantic Ocean, hunted for its fur.

harp seal

noun

1. a brownish-grey earless seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus, of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans

Word History and Origins

Origin of harp seal¹

First recorded in 1775–85; so called from the harplike shape of markings on the backs of adults

Example Sentences

Diving beneath a white cathedral of ice, I could hear the shrill whistles, honks, and squeaks of harp seals.

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The act protects the harp seal throughout its range, including the North Atlantic and Artic oceans and the waters off New England.

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The other two were Eloise, another young gray seal, found on the same beach as Tom, and Stewart Little, a 1-year-old male harp seal found in Ocean City.

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Meanwhile, Amelia Bedelia, the harp seal rescued from Ocean City on Feb. 23, is now entering the final stages of rehabilitation.

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They did not study any human remains; instead, they analyzed the bones of dozens of Atlantic cod and harp seals found in ancient garbage pits.

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