por·poise
porpoise
- pronunciation:
- por
p
s
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| inflections: |
porpoise, porpoises |
| definition 1: |
a mammal that lives in the ocean. Porpoises look like large fish, but they breathe air. Some kinds of porpoises have a triangular fin on their back. Porpoises are closely related to dolphins and other whales with teeth. Porpoises have a round head with a blunt snout.
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| definition 2: |
in North America, a name sometimes used for dolphins.
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Porpoise comes from a French word that means "pig fish."