orca
/ɔ:k/ Cách viết khác : (orca) /'ɔ:kə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A large, predatory marine mammal (Orcinus orca), characterized by a black-and-white color pattern, a prominent dorsal fin, and sharp teeth; commonly known as the killer whale. It is a species of toothed whale (odontocete) found in oceans worldwide, often in colder seas.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- We saw a pod of orca hunting near the coast.
- The orca is an apex predator, meaning it is at the top of the food chain.
- Scientists study the complex social structures of orca.
Advanced Usage
"Orca pod": A stable social group of orca, typically consisting of a matriarch and her descendants.
- The resident orca pod in this area has a distinct dialect of calls.
"Orca ecotype": Refers to distinct forms of orca that may differ in diet, behavior, and physical characteristics.
- Transient orca ecotypes specialize in hunting marine mammals.
Variants and Related Words
- Killer whale: The common name for . This is the most frequent synonym.
- Orcinus orca: The scientific (binomial) name for the species.
Synonyms
- Killer whale: The primary and most widely used synonym.
- Grampus (archaic/less common): An older term sometimes used for orca or related species.
Related Phrases
Orca research: The scientific study of killer whales.
- She dedicated her career to orca research in the Pacific Northwest.
Orca conservation: Efforts to protect killer whales and their habitats.
- Pollution and noise are major challenges for orca conservation.
Noun
- predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas