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Glite Dictionary
Delphinapterus leucas

Delphinapterus leucas

9.9
A small white whale that lives in cold Arctic waters
  • noun
  • /dɛlˈfɪnæptərəs ˈluːkəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Delphinapterus leucas
  • The Delphinapterus leucas is easily recognized by its striking white coloration.

Examples

  • Unlike most whales, the Delphinapterus leucas lacks a dorsal fin, making it well-adapted to icy environments.

  • Researchers studied a group of Delphinapterus leucas in the shallow Arctic waters.

  • The Delphinapterus leucas is known for its distinctive white color.

  • Many tourists come to see the Delphinapterus leucas in their natural habitat.

  • The Delphinapterus leucas is commonly found in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters.

  • Researchers studied a group of Delphinapterus leucas in the shallow Arctic waters.

  • The adult Delphinapterus leucas is entirely white, making it easy to identify.

Synonyms

beluga
vsDelphinapterus leucas
4 7.4

A small white whale that lives in Arctic waters with no fin on its back

serves as the scientific name rather than the common everyday term
white whale
vsDelphinapterus leucas
  • US
1 6.5

A small whale like the beluga that is white as an adult and lives in very cold northern waters

is the precise scientific name for that species not a general label

Surface Forms

Delphinapterus leucas singular
Delphinapterus leucases plural

Morphology

Delphinapterus + leucas

This is a Latin scientific binomial (taxonomic name) rather than a compositional English phrase; its referent 'beluga whale' is a specific species label that B1 learners cannot reliably derive from the parts. One constituent is undefined here and taxonomic epithets are essentially arbitrary to learners, so the overall meaning is not predictable from the constituent words.

Etymology

Delphinapterus leucas comes from Greek words and gives a clear picture: delphin- means 'dolphin', -apterus means 'without a fin', and leucas means 'white'. So the name literally says 'white, finless dolphin', which fits the beluga whale and helps you remember it is a white whale with no dorsal fin.