[syn: grampus, Grampus griseus]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Grampus \Gram"pus\, n.; pl. Grampuses. [Probably corrupted
from It. gran pesce great fish, or Sp. gran pez, or Pg. gran
peixe, all fr. L. grandis piscis. See Grand, and Fish.
the animal.]
1. (Zool.) A toothed delphinoid cetacean, of the genus
Grampus, esp. G. griseus of Europe and America, which
is valued for its oil. It grows to be fifteen to twenty
feet long; its color is gray with white streaks. Called
also cowfish. The California grampus is G. Stearnsii.
[1913 Webster]
2. A kind of tongs used in a bloomery. [U.S.] Granade
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
orc \orc\ ([^o]rk), n. [L. orca, a kind of whale: cf. F. orque.]
1. (Zool.) Any of several cetaceans, especialy the grampus
(Grampus griseus) of the dolphin family. [Written also
ork and orch.] --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
An island salt and bare,
The haunt of seals, and orcs, and sea-mews' clang.
--Milton (Par.
Lost xi. 835).
2. (Mythology) A mythical monster of varying descriptions; an
ogre.
[PJC]
Goblins, hobgoblins, and orcs of the worst
description. --J. J.
Tolkien (The
Hobbit)
3. The orca.
[PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
grampus
n 1: predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal
fin; common in cold seas [syn: killer whale, killer,
orca, grampus, sea wolf, Orcinus orca]
2: slaty-grey blunt-nosed dolphin common in northern seas [syn:
grampus, Grampus griseus]