baleen
[ buh-leen ]
/ bəˈlin /
noun
Origin of baleen
1275–1325; Middle English
balene (< Anglo-French
baleine, beleine) < Latin
bal(l)ēna, variant of
bal(l)aena whale < an unidentified language, also the source of Greek
phál(l)aina whale; replacing Middle English
balayn < Middle French
balaine whale(bone) < Latin, as above
Words nearby baleen
baldy,
bale,
bale cubic,
balearic islands,
baleboste,
baleen,
baleen whale,
balefire,
baleful,
balenciaga,
baler
Example sentences from the Web for baleen
British Dictionary definitions for baleen
baleen
/ (bəˈliːn) /
noun
whalebone
Word Origin for baleen
C14: from Latin
bālaena whale; related to Greek
phalaina whale
Scientific definitions for baleen
baleen
[ bə-lēn′ ]
A flexible horny substance hanging in fringed plates from the upper jaw of baleen whales. It is used to strain plankton from seawater when feeding. Also called whalebone