beluga

views updated May 14 2018

be·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

views updated May 21 2018

beluga (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

views updated Jun 27 2018

beluga
1. Huso huso See ACIPENSERIDAE.

2. (white whale, Delphinapterus leucas) See MONODONTIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

beluga

views updated May 23 2018

beluga 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

views updated May 21 2018

beluga 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

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