rorqual
(ˈrɔːkwɒl)
[a. F. rorqual (Cuvier), ad. Norw. r{obar}yrkval, repr. ON. *r{obar}yðar-, OIcel. reyðar-hvalr, f. reyðr the specific name + hvalr whale.]
A whale of the genus Balænoptera, having a dorsal fin; the finner.
| 1827 E. Griffith Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. IV. 493 The Balænæ..are divided into three sub-genera: The Whales Proper..; the Fin Fish..; and the Rorquals, the throat of which is channelled with folds in longitudinal furrows. 1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 149 The Rorquals (Balænoptera) have a dorsal fin, and are subdivided according as the belly is smooth or wrinkled. 1860 Gosse Rom. Nat. Hist. 115 The species was no doubt the great rorqual. 1897 F. T. Bullen Cruise of ‘Cachalot’ 61 Finbacks, a species of rorqual, were always pretty numerous. |