sei whale

[ sey hweyl, weyl ]

noun

1. a rorqual, Balaenoptera borealis, inhabiting all seas: now greatly reduced in number.

sei whale

/ seɪ /

noun

1. a rorqual, Balaenoptera borealis

Word History and Origins

Origin of sei whale¹

First recorded in 1915–20; from Norwegian seihval, equivalent to sei ( Old Norse seithr ) “coalfish” + hval “whale”; whale ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sei whale¹

C20: from Norwegian seihval, from sei coalfish (see saithe ) + hval whale: so called because it follows coalfish in search of food

Example Sentences

If close examination is possible, the sei whale will be seen to have only a single head ridge.

From Project Gutenberg

At a distance, the head of this species is similar in profile and general appearance to that of the sei whale.

From Project Gutenberg

The distribution and migrations of the sei whale during most of the year are rather poorly known.

From Project Gutenberg