grampus
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (2)
- predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seasSynonyms: killer whalekillerorcasea wolfOrcinus orca
- slaty-grey blunt-nosed dolphin common in northern seasSynonyms: Grampus griseus
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
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
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]