walrus

views updated May 23 2018

wal·rus / ˈwôlrəs; ˈwä-/ • n. a large gregarious marine mammal (Odobenus rosmarus) related to the eared seals, having two large downward-pointing tusks and found in the Arctic Ocean.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

walrus

views updated May 23 2018

walrus Arctic seal-like mammal; it has a massive body and a large head. Its tusks, developed from upper canine teeth, can reach 1m (39in) in length and are used to rake up the sea-bed in search of molluscs and to climb up onto ice floes. Length: to 3.7m (12ft). Family Odobenidae; species Odobenus rosmarus.

World Encyclopedia

walrus

views updated May 14 2018

walrus XVII. prob. — Du. walrus, -ros, f. the els. of such forms as OE. hors(c)hwæl, ON. hrosshvalr (‘horse-whale’), but the mutual relations are obscure.

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

walrus

views updated May 23 2018

walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) See ODOBENIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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