grampus

views updated May 09 2018

gram·pus / ˈgrampəs/ • n. (pl. -pus·es) a cetacean of the dolphin family, in particular: ∎ another term for Risso's dolphin. ∎ another term for orca.

grampus

views updated Jun 08 2018

grampus name for several delphinoid cetaceans. XVI. Earliest forms graundepose, grampoys, alt. (by assim. to GRAND) of †gra(s)peys (XIV) — OF. grapois, graspeis, also craspois :- medL. craspiscis, f. L. crassus fat, CRASS, piscis FISH.