I. ˈhwāl, ˈwāl noun
( 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
II. intransitive verb
( whaled ; whal·ing )
Date: 1700
: to engage in whale fishing
III. transitive verb
( whaled ; whal·ing )
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: circa 1790
1. : lash , thrash
2. : to strike or hit vigorously
3. : to defeat soundly