orca

[awr-kuh]

noun

1. the killer whale, Orcinus orca.

orca

/ ˈɔːkə /

noun

1. a killer whale

Word History and Origins

Origin of orca¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin, former taxonomic name, from Latin, a kind of whale, perhaps a grampus, from Greek óryga (accusative of óryx ), a kind of large fish, perhaps a narwhal. The g became c under the influence of Latin orca, a kind of large earthenware vessel with a narrow neck; orc

Word History and Origins

Origin of orca¹

C20: Latin

Example Sentences

"One of the sightings reported a group of single male outer coast orcas slapping each other with their dorsal fins and charging at inner coast females."

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A group of orcas in the Gulf of California has been filmed using remarkable skill to hunt young great white sharks, flipping them onto their backs to reach the nutrient-packed liver.

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Keeping them in separate pools permanently is considered harmful to their wellbeing as orcas are sociable animals.

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Juneau is arguably the whale watching capital of Alaska, with humpback whales traveling from Hawaii to the area every summer, along with resident and migratory orcas, so whale watching was high on our list.

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The contestants deal with rough seas, strong currents, jellyfish and sundry venomous creatures, intruding fishermen, limited air, sinus crises, variable visibility and unexpected orcas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• mammal 
• porpoise