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.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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