black whale
- noun
- US
:
ballena negra
- A pod of black whales was spotted near the New England coastline.
Examples
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The largest male in the black whale school typically leads the group.
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The black whale is recognized by its dark color and social behavior.
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The black whale is often seen near the coast.
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Many black whales migrate during the winter months.
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A pod of black whales was spotted near the New England coastline.
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The black whale is recognized by its dark color and social behavior.
-
The largest male in the black whale school typically leads the group.
Synonyms
3
5.5
A small dark sea animal that lives in groups led by the largest male
1
9.1
A small dark whale that swims in groups led by a large male
A small dark whale that lives in groups along the Atlantic coast and is often led by a large male
A small dark whale that lives off the Atlantic coast in groups led by a large male
Surface Forms
Morphology
The core meaning — a whale that is black or dark-colored — is directly and compositionally derived from 'black' + 'whale', so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the referent. Although the full dictionary entry adds specialised details about spermaceti and ambergris, those are extra encyclopedic facts and do not affect the transparent, literal composition of the phrase.
Etymology
The noun black whale may come from people living by the coast who saw small, dark whales whose largest male led the group. From a distance the pod looked black and the leader stood out, so the name now means a small, dark-colored whale often led by the biggest male.