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Webster's New World College Dictionary » walruses
walruses
Variant of walrus
walrus
definition
wal·rus (wôl′rəs)
noun pl. walruses -·ruses or walrus -·rus
a massive, arctic sea carnivore (Odobenus rosmarus) of the same family (Otariidae) as the eared seals, having two tusks projecting from the upper jaw, a thick mustache, a very thick hide, and a heavy layer of blubber
Etymology: Du < Dan hvalros, prob. by metathesis < ON hrosshvalr, lit., horse whale < hross, akin to OE hros, horse + hvalr, whale
adjective
of, characteristic of, or suggestive of a walrus; specif., designating a mustache with long, drooping ends
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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