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Definition of Porpoise
1. Noun. Any of several small gregarious cetacean mammals having a blunt snout and many teeth.
Group relationships: Genus Phocoena, Phocoena
Specialized synonyms: Harbor Porpoise, Herring Hog, Phocoena Phocoena, Phocoena Sinus, Vaquita
Definition of Porpoise
1. n. Any small cetacean of the genus Phocæna, especially P. communis, or P. phocæna, of Europe, and the closely allied American species (P. Americana). The color is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They are closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter snout. Called also harbor porpoise, herring hag, puffing pig, and snuffer.
Definition of Porpoise
1. Noun. A small cetacean of the family Phocoenidae, related to whales and dolphins. ¹
2. Noun. (context: North America imprecisely) Any small dolphin. ¹
3. Verb. (intransitive) Said of an aircraft: to make a series of plunges when taking off or landing. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Porpoise
1. to move forward with rising and falling motions [v -POISED, -POISING, -POISES]
Lexicographical Neighbors of Porpoise
Literary usage of Porpoise
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838 by Charles Wilkes (1852)
"Proceedings of the porpoise from the twenty-second to the thirtieth of January-
French Squadron seen — Its Commander refuses to speak the porpoise ..."
2. Collections of the Maine Historical Society by Maine Historical Society (1895)
"To a student of the local history of early Maine, Cape porpoise presents features of
... It is needless to repeat the history of Cape porpoise at length; ..."
3. Curiosities of Natural History by Francis Trevelyan Buckland (1882)
"Mr. Dilnot. of Hampton, made capital toot-laces from the skin of this young porpoise.
In September 1859, one Judy Downs, owner of a fishery weir at Hampton, ..."
4. Journal of Anatomy and Physiology by Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland (1883)
"Like the porpoise, the white-beaked dolphin has but one small ... It differs also
from the porpoise, and resembles the pilot whale in the position of its ..."
5. Adventure Guide to the Alaska Highway by Ed Readicker-Henderson (2001)
"Orca & porpoise Orca Orca, or killer whales, are one of the most exciting animals
to spot in Alaska. They are not actually whales; rather, ..."
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