narwhal
/'nɑ:wəl/
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Definition
- Noun:
- A small Arctic whale: The narwhal is a medium-sized toothed whale that lives year-round in the Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada, and Russia.
- Distinctive tusk: The male narwhal is characterized by a long, straight, helical (spiral) tusk, which is actually an elongated upper left canine tooth. This tusk can grow to lengths of up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The narwhal is sometimes called the "unicorn of the sea" because of its unique tusk.
- Scientists are still studying the exact function of the narwhal's tusk.
- We saw a pod of narwhals surfacing in the icy water.
Advanced Usage
- "Narwhal tusk": Specifically refers to the iconic spiral tooth.
- Historically, narwhal tusks were sometimes sold as unicorn horns.
Variants and Related Words
- Narwhale: An alternate, less common spelling of "narwhal."
Synonyms
- Monodon monoceros: The scientific (Latin) name for the narwhal.
- Sea unicorn: A poetic or descriptive synonym referencing the mythical unicorn.
Related Phrases
- Pod of narwhals: The term for a group of narwhals, as with many other whale species.
Noun
- small Arctic whale the male having a long spiral ivory tusk