51Թ

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View synonyms for

porpoise

[ pawr-puhs ]

noun

plural (especially collectively) porpoise, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) porpoises.
  1. any of several small, gregarious cetacean mammals of the genus Phocoena, usually blackish above and paler beneath, and having a blunt, rounded snout, especially the common porpoise, P. phocoena, of both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
  2. any of several small cetacean mammals, as the common dolphin, Delphinus delphis.


verb (used without object)

porpoised, porpoising.
  1. (of a speeding motorboat) to leap clear of the water after striking a wave.
  2. (of a torpedo) to appear above the surface of the water.
  3. to move forward with a rising and falling motion in the manner of a porpoise:

    The car has a tendency to porpoise when overloaded.

porpoise

/ ˈɔːə /

noun

  1. any of various small cetacean mammals of the genus Phocaena and related genera, having a blunt snout and many teeth: family Delphinidae (or Phocaenidae )
  2. not in technical use any of various related cetaceans, esp the dolphin
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ǰpǾ· adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of porpoise1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English porpoys, from Middle French porpois, from unattested Vulgar Latin porcopiscis “hog fish,” for Latin porcus marīnus “sea hog”
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of porpoise1

C14: from French pourpois, from Medieval Latin porcopiscus (from Latin porcus pig + piscis fish), replacing Latin porcus marīnus sea pig
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Within the wider marine environment at this time of year there are breeding seals and harbour porpoises.

From

Henry V of Shakespearean fame, hosted a feast that offered 40 different types of fish, including roast porpoise.

From

The Santa Barbara Channel is a unique stretch of California coastline home to over 25 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises.

From

The bay is also home to harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals and a variety of bird life including razorbills and guillemots.

From

Sea Watch is a national marine environmental charity working to improve the conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the seas around Britain and Ireland.

From

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