Main Entry: ¹whale

Pronunciation: \ˈhwāl, ˈwāl\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural whales

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwæl; akin to Old High German hwal whale and perhaps to Latin squalus sea fish

Date: before 12th century

1 or plural whale : cetacean; especially : one (as a sperm whale or killer whale) of larger size
2 : one that is impressive especially in size <a whale of a difference> <a whale of a good time>

— whale·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective