whaleling

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From whale +‎ -ling.

Noun[edit]

whaleling (plural whalelings)

  1. A small or young whale.
    • 1937, Henry Goddard Leach, Forum and century - Volume 97 - Page 108:
      Their blood and body temperatures are warm and constant, and they bring forth living offspring — and produce milk to suckle their young whalelings with.
    • 2009, plasticactus.livejournal.com/1924.html?thread=4228:
      I like to think that Old Grandma Sperm Whales tell bedtime stories to the little whalings all about the deviousness and monstrosity that humankind used to inflict upon their ancestors.
    • 2010, Louisa May Alcott, Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag VI An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Etc.:
      My wife was a charming creature, and we were very happy, till one sad day, when she was playing with our child, – a sweet little whaleling only twelve feet long, and weighing but a ton, — my son was harpooned.

Translations[edit]