white whale

Thân thiện

A white whale swims gracefully in the deep blue ocean.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small northern whale that is white when adult: This is the primary zoological definition, referring to a specific species of cetacean, also commonly known as the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The white whale is easily recognizable by its distinctive color and lack of a dorsal fin.
  • Marine biologists are studying the vocalizations of the white whale.

Advanced Usage

• "White whale" as a metaphorical or literary object of obsession: Derived from Herman Melville's novel , where the white sperm whale is the obsessive target of Captain Ahab. This usage refers to a long-sought, often elusive goal or prize.
  • Finding that rare first edition book became his white whale.
  • For years, winning the championship was the team's white whale.

Variants and Related Words

• Beluga (whale) (n): The more common common name for the .
  • The beluga whale is often called the "canary of the sea" due to its vocalizations.
• Moby-Dick (n): The title of the novel and the name of the specific fictional white sperm whale, which is the source of the metaphorical meaning.

Synonyms

• Beluga: The direct synonym for the animal.
• Obsession: A synonym for the metaphorical meaning (an all-consuming goal).
• Quarry: A synonym for the metaphorical meaning (something pursued).

Related Phrases

• Chase one's white whale: To pursue an elusive goal with singular, often destructive, obsession.
  • He spent a fortune chasing his white whale of proving the theory.

Related Idioms

• Ahab-like obsession: An intense, monomaniacal pursuit, directly referencing the character from . This is closely related to the metaphorical use of "white whale."
  • His Ahab-like obsession with the case cost him his personal relationships.

Học thuật

Noun

1. small northern whale that is white when adult

Từ đồng nghĩa

• beluga
• Delphinapterus leucas