Dolphin Definition
dŏlfĭn, dôl-
dolphins
noun
dolphins
Any of two widespread families (Platanistidae and Delphinidae) of toothed whales having high levels of intelligence and usually a beaklike snout.
Webster's New World
Any of a percoid family (Coryphaenidae) of marine game fishes with colors that brighten and change when the fish is taken out of the water.
Webster's New World
Any of several toothed whales inhabiting rivers and estuaries in South America and South Asia, having a long narrow beak, broad flippers, a flexible neck, and usually a reduced dorsal fin. A species native to the Yangtze River is thought to be extinct.
American Heritage
A buoy, pile, or, esp., a cluster of piles for mooring a vessel.
Webster's New World
A group of piers used as a fender at a dock.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- mahimahi
- dolphinfish
idiom
the Dolphin
- the constellation Delphinus
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Dolphin
Noun
Singular:
dolphinPlural:
dolphinsIdioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Dolphin
- the Dolphin
Origin of Dolphin
Middle English from Old French daulfin blend of daufin Old Provençal dalfin both from Medieval Latin dalfinus from Latin delphīnus from Greek delphīs delphīn- from delphus womb (from its shape)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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Middle English dolfin, from Old French daulphin, dalphin, daufin, from Latin delphīnus, from Ancient Greek δελφίς (delphis), from δελφύς (delphus) "womb".
From Wiktionary
From 3rd Duke of Alba (duc d'Albe in French), who was the first to let build this type of structures in the Spanish Netherlands in the 16th century.
From Wiktionary
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