whale: Meaning and Definition of

whale

Pronunciation: (hwāl, wāl), [key]
— n., pl. v., whales, whale, whaled, whal•ing.
—n.
  1. any of the larger marine mammals of the order Cetacea, esp. as distinguished from the smaller dolphins and porpoises, having a fishlike body, forelimbs modified into flippers, and a head that is horizontally flattened.
  2. something big, great, or fine of its kind: I had a whale of a time in Europe.
  3. (cap.)the constellation Cetus.
—v.i.
  1. to engage in whaling or whale fishing.

whale

Pronunciation: (hwāl, wāl), [key]
— v., whaled, whal•ing,
  1. to hit, thrash, or beat soundly.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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