whalebone
Noun: 1. A horny, elastic material: This refers to a substance obtained from the upper jaws of certain baleen whales (like the right whale or bowhead). It is not true bone but is made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails. Historically, it was valued for its flexibility and strength. 2. The material itself used for various purposes: The term also refers to this substance in its processed form, when used to make specific items.
- As a material:
- In the 19th century, whalebone was essential for making corset stays and hoop skirts.
- The artifact was a fan with delicate ribs made of whalebone.
- Referring to its source:
- The old harpooner described the process of harvesting whalebone from the whale's mouth.
- "Whalebone corset": A specific historical garment stiffened with strips of whalebone. (Note: This is a compound noun using 'whalebone' as a modifier).
- The Victorian-era dress required a tightly-laced whalebone corset.
- Baleen (noun): This is the modern scientific and more precise term for the keratinous plates in a whale's mouth that filter food from water. "Whalebone" historically referred to this material after it was harvested and processed.
- Some whales feed by filtering krill through their baleen.
- Baleen: (Scientific synonym) The keratinous feeding system in the mouths of mysticete whales.
The word whalebone has a single, specific meaning. It does not refer to the actual skeletal bones of a whale (which would be called "whale bone"). The distinction is important: * Whalebone = The keratinous baleen plates from the mouth. * Whale bone = The actual skeletal bones of a whale.
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a horny material from the upper jaws of certain whales; used as the ribs of fans or as stays in corsets
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