beluga
oxford
views updated May 14 2018be·lu·ga / bəˈloōgə/ •
n. (pl. same or belugas
) 1. a small, white-toothed whale (Delphinapterus leucas, family Monodontidae) related to the narwhal, living in herds mainly in Arctic coastal waters. Also called white whale. 2. a very large sturgeon (Huso huso) occurring in the inland seas and associated rivers of central Eurasia. ∎ (also beluga caviar) caviar obtained from this fish.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
beluga
oxford
views updated May 21 2018beluga (white whale) Small, toothed Arctic
whale that is milky white when mature. It preys on fish, squid, and crustaceans and is valued by Eskimos for its meat, hide and blubber. Length:
c.4m (13ft). Species: Delphinapterus leucas. Beluga is also a type of sturgeon, whose roe is sold as
caviar.
World Encyclopedia
beluga
oxford
views updated Jun 27 2018beluga 1. Huso huso See
ACIPENSERIDAE.
2. (
white whale,
Delphinapterus leucas) See
MONODONTIDAE.
A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY
beluga
oxford
views updated May 23 2018beluga Russian name for the white sturgeon (
Acipenser huro), whose roe forms the most prized
caviar.
A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition DAVID A. BENDER
beluga
oxford
views updated May 21 2018beluga great sturgeon; white whale. XVIII (in XVI
bellougina). — Russ.
belúga (in the latter sense also
belúkha), f.
bélȳľ white.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
