[whale] n, pl whales often attrib [ME, fr. OE hwael; akin to OHG hwal whale and perh. to L squalus sea fish] (bef. 12c) 1 or pl whale : cetacean; esp: one (as a sperm whale or killer whale) of larger size
2: one that is impressive esp. in size "a ~ of a difference" "a ~ of a good time" -- whale.like adj
[2]whale vi whaled ; whal.ing (1700): to engage in whale fishing [3]whale vt whaled ; whal.ing [origin unknown] (ca. 1790) 1: lash, thrash
2: to strike or hit vigorously
3: to defeat soundly