Orcinus orca
1
6.0
- noun
- /ɔrˈsɪnəs ˈɔrkə/
- Specialized
- Scientists observed a pod of Orcinus orca hunting seals near the Antarctic ice.
Examples
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Marine parks sometimes have Orcinus orca as one of their main attractions.
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Many people are fascinated by the Orcinus orca.
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The Orcinus orca is famous for its intelligence and complex social behaviors.
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The Orcinus orca is known for its intelligence.
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When I went whale watching, I was excited to see an Orcinus orca swimming gracefully through the water.
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The Orcinus orca, known for its intelligence, often hunts in pods to capture their prey.
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Many documentaries feature the majestic Orcinus orca, showcasing its striking black-and-white appearance.
Synonyms
438
1.0
A very large sea animal with a blowhole for breathing
28
3.4
A large black and white whale with sharp teeth that hunts other animals
24
3.2
A large black and white whale with teeth that hunts other sea animals
1
6.2
A large black-and-white whale that hunts other sea animals like seals and fish
1
9.9
A large whale or dolphin like an orca that hunts in cold seas
1
5.0
A whale that has teeth and eats fish or squid, like dolphins and porpoises
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward scientific binomial: 'Orcinus' as a genus name combined with 'orca' (a large predatory whale) signals the species name for the killer whale. This compositional pattern (genus + species/common name) is systematic and thus immediately understandable to learners who know both constituents.
Etymology
Orcinus orca is a scientific name made from older words: Orcinus may come from the Roman god of the underworld, giving a dark, powerful image, and orca was an old word for a large sea animal. Because this whale is black-and-white and a strong hunter, the name fits its fierce 'killer whale' reputation.