First Known Use: 1835
Dictionary
cetacean
noun ce·ta·cean \si-ˈtā-shən\
: a mammal (such as a whale, dolphin, or porpoise) that lives in the ocean
Full Definition of CETACEAN
: any of an order (Cetacea) of aquatic mostly marine mammals that includes the whales, dolphins, porpoises, and related forms and that have a torpedo-shaped nearly hairless body, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, one or two nares opening externally at the top of the head, and a horizontally flattened tail used for locomotion
— cetacean adjective
— ce·ta·ceous \-shəs\ adjective
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Origin of CETACEAN
ultimately from Latin cetus whale, from Greek kētos
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