sea-wolf
Definition
- Noun:
- A marine mammal: "sea-wolf" refers to a type of large seal or sea lion, particularly the sea lion or walrus, historically called a "sea-wolf" due to its predatory nature and wolf-like appearance in the water.
- A pirate or buccaneer: "sea-wolf" is also an archaic term for a pirate or a ruthless seafaring robber, especially one who preys on ships at sea.
Usage Examples
Noun (marine mammal):
- The sailors spotted a sea-wolf basking on the rocky shore. (A large seal or sea lion resting on land.)
- In old natural history texts, the sea-wolf was described as a fierce predator of the northern oceans. (A reference to a marine mammal like a walrus or sea lion.)
Noun (pirate):
- The old sea-wolf terrorized the Caribbean for decades, plundering merchant ships. (A pirate who was active in the Caribbean.)
- Captain Kidd was known as a notorious sea-wolf before his capture. (A pirate or buccaneer.)
Advanced Usage
- "Sea-wolf" as a literary or poetic term: It can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is fierce, predatory, or untamed in a maritime context.
- The old fisherman was a sea-wolf, hardened by years of battling the ocean. (A tough, experienced sailor.)
Variants and Related Words
- Sea-wolf (n): the singular form; also spelled without a hyphen as "sea wolf" in modern usage.
- Sea-wolves (n): plural form.
- The sea-wolves of the north were feared by all coastal villages. (Multiple pirates or marine mammals.)
Synonyms
- Pirate: a person who attacks and robs ships at sea.
- Buccaneer: a pirate, especially one operating in the Caribbean during the 17th–18th centuries.
- Sea lion: a large, eared seal (for the marine mammal sense).
- Walrus: a large marine mammal with tusks (for the marine mammal sense).
Related Idioms
- "To be a sea-wolf": (archaic) to be a pirate or a ruthless seafarer.
- He lived as a sea-wolf, with no allegiance to any flag. (He lived as a pirate, without loyalty to any nation.)