whaleling

whaleling

English

Alternative forms

• whaling

Etymology

From whale +‎ -ling.

Noun

whaleling (plural whalelings)

1. A small or young whale.
   • 1937, Henry Goddard Leach, Forum and century - Volume 97 - Page 108:

     Their blood and body temperatures are warm and constant, and they bring forth living offspring — and produce milk to suckle their young whalelings with.

   • 2009, plasticactus.livejournal.com/1924.html?thread=4228:

     I like to think that Old Grandma Sperm Whales tell bedtime stories to the little whalings all about the deviousness and monstrosity that humankind used to inflict upon their ancestors.

   • 2010, Louisa May Alcott, Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag VI An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Etc.:

     My wife was a charming creature, and we were very happy, till one sad day, when she was playing with our child, – a sweet little whaleling only twelve feet long, and weighing but a ton, — my son was harpooned.