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Balaenoptera

plural noun
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Bal·​ae·​nop·​tera | \ -ˈnäptərə \

Definition of Balaenoptera

: a genus (the type of the family Balaenopteridae) of whalebone whales that comprises the rorquals

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First Known Use of Balaenoptera

1840, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Balaenoptera

New Latin, from balaeno- (from Latin balaena whale) + -ptera

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The first known use of Balaenoptera was in 1840

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Cite this Entry

“Balaenoptera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Balaenoptera. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021.

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