whaleback

[ hweyl-bak, weyl- ]

noun

1. Nautical.
   1. a cargo vessel having a hull with a convex deck.
   2. a deck or cover curving upward.
2. something shaped like the back of a whale, as a rounded hill or an ocean wave.

whaleback

/ ˈweɪlˌbæk /

noun

1. something shaped like the back of a whale
2. a steamboat having a curved upper deck

Word History and Origins

Origin of whaleback¹

First recorded in 1885–90; whale ¹ + back ¹

Example Sentences

With ample artillery and fresh reserves at our command we were determined to gain the summit of the whaleback in a final drive.

From Project Gutenberg

An artistic illustration is given of the "whaleback" steamer, used principally on our Northern lakes.

From Project Gutenberg

I can't make out what they are on; but it looks like a whaleback to me, with her upper works carried away.

From Project Gutenberg

A large whaleback steamship may be relieved of its 200,000 bushels in about three hours.

From Project Gutenberg

Beyond them lay a filmy blue whaleback of an island which he was told was Sark, and it was to Sark he was bound.

From Project Gutenberg