cetacean

comparative more cetacean · superlative most cetacean

1. Pertaining to the zoologic infraorder Cetacea, or associated with species falling under that taxonomic hierarchy.

   The poached blubber was definitely cetacean in origin, but the particular species could not be identified.

   1 more example

   She was not as demure as she was in Roanoke; she seemed at the beginning rather like she felt more comfortable in the oceanic atmosphere harpooning her opponent. Indeed, at times, it seemed she was Ahab and the witherwin Allen was her Moby Dick; but while she sails her Pequod just as intently toward a singular goal, her alastor is much less clear and she bears no visible scars of a cetacean attacker.

   2012, Hampton Roads Republican US Senate Debate Summary

   Synonyms: cetaceous

2. broadlyfigurativelysometimesResembling or relating to large aquatic mammals.

   The obese woman, ungainly on land, moved with a kind of cetacean grace in the water.

   1 more example

   […] I would propose that external dependencies to the document would be automatically downloaded if a local copy doesn't exist so that the core distribution no longer is quite so cetacean in size.

   2023 December 18, Don Hosek, “Re: LaTeX v.s. Typst: What is TeX Community's Future Plan? [closed]”, in TeX - LaTeX Stack Exchange

plural cetaceans

1. A marine mammal belonging to the infraorder Cetacea, including dolphins, porpoises, and whales, characterized by a streamlined body, one or two blowholes, tail flukes, and fin-like forelimbs without hind limbs.

   The tour promised spiritual experiences with humpback whales and other cetaceans, but all we saw were seagulls and a dead sea otter.

   Synonyms: whale[Appendix:Glossary