whale 1
/hwayl, wayl/ , n. , pl. whales , ( esp. collectively ) whale , v. , whaled, whaling .
n.
1. any of the larger marine mammals of the order Cetacea, esp. as distinguished from the smaller dolphins and porpoises, having a fishlike body, forelimbs modified into flippers, and a head that is horizontally flattened.
2. Informal. something big, great, or fine of its kind: I had a whale of a time in Europe.
3. ( cap. ) Astron. the constellation Cetus.
v.i.
4. to engage in whaling or whale fishing.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE hwael; c. G Wal- in Walfisch, ON hvalr; perh. akin to L squalus kind of fish ]
whale 2
/hwayl, wayl/ , v. , whaled, whaling
to hit, thrash, or beat soundly.
[ 1780-90; orig. uncert. ]