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Glite Dictionary
finback

finback

8.9
A very large whale with a flat head and deep grooves along its throat
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪnˌbæk/
translation icon : ballena de aleta
  • The finback whale is known for its impressive size.

Examples

  • Researchers study the population of finback whales to learn more about their migration patterns.

  • Scientists tracked a pod of finbacks migrating along the coast of California.

  • The finback is the second largest whale species after the blue whale.

  • The distinctive dorsal fin makes the finback easy to identify in the wild.

  • Many finbacks migrate between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

  • The finback whale is known for its distinctive flat head and the deep grooves along its throat.

  • During our boat trip, we spotted a majestic finback swimming gracefully near the surface of the ocean.

Synonyms

fin whale
vsfinback
3 4.0

A large whale with a flat head, long body and small back fin found in the Atlantic and Pacific

uses a different common label in this entry
common rorqual
vsfinback
9.0

A large whale that has a flat head and deep lines on its throat, often called the fin whale

is the primary common label used in this entry
Balaenoptera physalus
vsfinback
  • Specialized
9.9

A very large whale with a flat head and deep lines on its throat found in many oceans

is the everyday common label rather than the scientific term
finback whale
vsfinback
6.3

A large whale with baleen plates, a flat head, and throat ridges that lives in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

focuses on deep throat grooves as the distinguishing feature

Compounds

finback whale
6.3

A large whale with baleen plates, a flat head, and throat ridges that lives in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Surface Forms

finback singular
finbacks plural

Morphology

finback = fin + back (semi-transparent) = fin + back

The components 'fin' and 'back' are clearly identifiable, but the term denotes a specific whale species which is a specialized taxonomic name rather than a fully predictable compound meaning.

Etymology

Finback comes from the simple parts fin and back, literally 'fin' and 'back'. It names a large whale with a big fin on its back, so the word helps you picture and remember this species.