walrus — a large marine mammal with two long curved tusks, found in Arctic seas
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a large marine mammal with two long curved tusks, found in Arctic seas
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈwɔːlrəs/
Example Sentences
- The walrus at the zoo became famous for clapping along to music.
- Climate change is threatening walrus populations in the Arctic.
- My grandfather's walrus mustache made him look like a sea captain.
walrus
NOUN[/ˈwɔːlrəs/]
a large marine mammal with two long curved tusks, found in Arctic seas
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word walrus derives from Old Norse, combining hvalr (whale) and hross (horse). Norse seafarers called this marine mammal a 'whale-horse' due to its large size and aquatic habitat, a descriptive compound that became the basis for the modern English term.
Breakdown
hvalr (whale) + hross (horse) → walrus. The compound reflects Old Norse descriptive naming conventions, where unfamiliar animals were identified by combining familiar animal terms to convey their notable characteristics.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The walrus at the zoo became famous for clapping along to music.”
“Climate change is threatening walrus populations in the Arctic.”
“My grandfather's walrus mustache made him look like a sea captain.”
“The walrus can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and dive 300 feet deep.”
📚Related Words
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