n.
Pronunciation: ' hw ā l, ' w ā l
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural whales
Usage: often attrib
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 \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective