Definition of BALEEN

baleen

Plural: baleens

Noun

  • a horny material from the upper jaws of certain whales; used as the ribs of fans or as stays in corsets
  • keratinous material that makes up the plates in the mouth of the baleen whale (Mysticeti), which it uses to trap its food; formerly used in corsetry.
  • A baleen whale (Mysticeti).
  • A whale or other large fish.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English baleyne, from Old French baleine (“whale, whalebone”), from Latin balaena (“whale”), from Ancient Greek φάλαινα (phálaina, “whale”).

Synonyms

whalebone

Scrabble Score: 8

baleen is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
baleen is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
baleen is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

baleen is a valid Words With Friends word