Main Entry:

be·lu·ga

Pronunciation:

\bə-ˈlü-gə\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Russian, from belyĭ white; akin to Greek phalios having a white spot — more at bald

Date:

1772

1: a large white sturgeon (Huso huso syn. Acipenser huso) of the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and their tributaries ; also : caviar processed from beluga roe — compare osetra, sevruga2 [Russian belukha, from belyĭ] : a toothed whale (Delphinapterus leucas) of arctic and subarctic waters having a fusiform body that is about 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 5.0 meters) long and white when mature —called also white whale

[beluga illustration]