DOLPHIN Definition & Meaning

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dolphin

[ dawl-fin, dol- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several chiefly marine, cetacean mammals of the family Delphinidae, having a fishlike body, numerous teeth, and the front of the head elongated into a beaklike projection.
Also called dolphinfish, mahimahi,. either of two large, slender fishes, Coryphaena hippurus or C. equisetis, of warm and temperate seas.
Nautical.
1. a pile, cluster of piles, or buoy to which a vessel may be moored in open water.
2. a cluster of piles used as a fender, as at the entrance to a dock.
3. a pudding fender at the nose of a tugboat or on the side of a vessel.
Dolphin, Astronomy. the constellation Delphinus.

dolphin

/ ˈ��ɒ��ɪ�� /

noun

any of various marine cetacean mammals of the family Delphinidae , esp Delphinus delphis, that are typically smaller than whales and larger than porpoises and have a beaklike snout
river dolphin
any freshwater cetacean of the family Platanistidae, inhabiting rivers of North and South America and S Asia. They are smaller than marine dolphins and have a longer narrower snout
Also calleddorado either of two large marine percoid fishes, Coryphaena hippurus or C. equisetis, that resemble the cetacean dolphins and have an iridescent coloration
nautical a post or buoy for mooring a vessel

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of dolphin¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English dolphyn, from Old French daulphin, from Old Provençal dalfin, from unattested Vulgar Latin �岹��ī�Գܲ�, Latin ��ī�Գܲ�, from Greek ��ī́��

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of dolphin¹

C13: from Old French dauphin, via Latin, from Greek delphin-, delphis

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Four dolphins have died at the Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach in the past year, local media say.

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At least 50 dolphins have also been stranded on area beaches, but because they almost always die from ingesting domoic acid, they are usually euthanized.

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Fifteen million years ago, now-extinct species of dolphins, whales and large sea cows roamed the world’s oceans, topping the underwater food chain.

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A similar outbreak was recorded last summer affecting more than 70 sea lions, as well as two dolphins and two fur seals along the coast in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

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Those fish are then eaten by seals, sea lions and dolphins.

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