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Glite Dictionary
Globicephala melaena

Globicephala melaena

9.9
A small dark whale that lives in groups along the Atlantic coast and is often led by a large male
  • noun
  • /ˌɡloʊbɪˈsɛfələ məˈleɪnə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Globicephala melaena
  • Marine biologists often observe pods of Globicephala melaena off the coast of New England.

Examples

  • The Globicephala melaena is known for its strong social bonds within groups.

  • A stranded Globicephala melaena drew attention from wildlife rescue teams last summer.

  • The Globicephala melaena is often spotted near Cape Cod.

  • Have you ever seen a Globicephala melaena up close?

  • Marine biologists often observe pods of Globicephala melaena off the coast of New England.

  • A stranded Globicephala melaena drew attention from wildlife rescue teams last summer.

  • The Globicephala melaena is known for its strong social bonds within groups.

Synonyms

pilot whale
vsGlobicephala melaena
3 5.5

A small dark sea animal that lives in groups led by the largest male

is limited to the Atlantic US coast rather than the wider Atlantic range
blackfish
vsGlobicephala melaena
  • US
1 9.1

A small dark whale that swims in groups led by a large male

is the formal species name rather than the common label
black whale
vsGlobicephala melaena
  • US
7.4

A small dark whale near the US Atlantic coast whose largest male leads the group

is the scientific species term rather than the ordinary name
common blackfish
vsGlobicephala melaena
  • US
8.5

A small dark whale that lives off the Atlantic coast in groups led by a large male

is the formal species name rather than the common label

Surface Forms

Globicephala melaena singular
Globicephala melaenas plural

Morphology

Globicephala + melaena

This is a scientific Latin binomial: taxonomic names function as arbitrary labels rather than compositional English phrases. While 'Globicephala' denotes a genus of pilot whales, the species epithet 'melaena' is not a common English word and the combination does not transparently yield the common name 'long-finned pilot whale', so a B1 learner would not be able to derive the specific meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Globicephala melaena may come from old words globi meaning 'round' and cephala meaning 'head', plus melaena meaning 'black'. So the name gives a clear image of a small dark whale with a round head, and that's why it fits the long-finned pilot whale we know today.