whalebone

[hweyl-bohn, weyl-]

noun

1. baleen.

2. a thin strip of this substance, as for stiffening a corset.

whalebone

/ ˈweɪlˌbəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: baleen. a horny elastic material forming a series of numerous thin plates that hang from the upper jaw on either side of the palate in the toothless (whalebone) whales and strain plankton from water entering the mouth

2. a thin strip of this substance, used in stiffening corsets, bodices, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of whalebone¹

First recorded in 1600–10; whale ¹ + bone

Example Sentences

The cinched waist—the subtle negative drafts ahead of rear quarters—might as well have had whalebone stays.

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The observed species are classified as baleen whales, which have a large bristly whalebone at the front of their mouth to filter feed, instead of teeth.

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The farthingale sleeve is made from a thick cotton material called fustian, stitched with 14 casings of linen each containing a hoop of baleen, also known as whalebone.

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Making the best of things, he took apart a walking stick made of whalebone discs threaded on a metal rod, and used those as poker chips.

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Wouldn’t Aunt Ivy get a wrench in her whalebone corset to see me dolled up?

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