sei whale

[ sey-hweyl, weyl ]

/ ˈseɪ ˌʰweɪl, ˌweɪl /

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noun

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

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Also called sei .

Origin of sei whale

First recorded in 1915–20; from Norwegian seihval, equivalent to sei (Old Norse seithr ) “coalfish” + hval “whale”; see origin at whale¹

Words nearby sei whale

seismometer, seismonasty, seismoscope, seitan, SEIU, sei whale, seize, seized, seize on, seize up, seizing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sei whale in a sentence

The Dude is at his happiest when he has a few minutes of solitude and rest to get high and listen to whale sounds.
Dudes and Maudes Abide at New York City Lebowski Fest|Rich Goldstein|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Japan is throwing its annual whale week again to celebrate its dubious commercial hunting of the endangered mammals.
Welcome to Japan’s Whale Week, Featuring Curried Whale Meat And Exploding Harpoons|Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Guests are also invited to try fried pieces of whale seasoned with curry powder.
Welcome to Japan’s Whale Week, Featuring Curried Whale Meat And Exploding Harpoons|Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That dinner kicked off a government-sanctioned Whale Exhibition that will go until the 13th.
Welcome to Japan’s Whale Week, Featuring Curried Whale Meat And Exploding Harpoons|Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Pharmaceutical company Ohta Isan has a product called Balenine Dash, which is made from whale and claims to give you energy.
Welcome to Japan’s Whale Week, Featuring Curried Whale Meat And Exploding Harpoons|Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A Naval Officer who has seen her says she is lying in shallow water—6 fathoms—bottom upwards looking like a stranded whale.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
He was experienced in the North Atlantic trade, in seal, whale and cod fishing and other Newfoundland industries.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Fish scales cover the walls, and everywhere there is a smell as if one were in the belly of a whale.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland
I've seen pictures of an excited whale turning a boat full of men over.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker
Fat Boy's two hundred and eighty-odd pounds were drooped over his chair like the blubber of an exhausted, beach-stranded whale.
The Holes and John Smith|Edward W. Ludwig

British Dictionary definitions for sei whale

sei whale

/ (seɪ) /

noun

a rorqual, Balaenoptera borealis

Word Origin for sei whale

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012