whalebone
pronunciation
How to pronounce whalebone in British English:
UK [ˈweɪlbəʊn]
How to pronounce whalebone in American English:
US [ˈweɪlboʊn]
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- Noun:
- a horny material from the upper jaws of certain whales; used as the ribs of fans or as stays in corsets
Word Origin
- whalebone (n.)
- also whale-bone, c. 1200, from whale (n.) + bone (n.).
Example
- 1. A lightweight corset bone originally made from the quills of domestic fowl as a substitute for whalebone .
- 2. The yankee blockade about the confederate ports had tightened , and luxuries such as tea , coffee , silks , whalebone stays , colognes , fashion magazines and books were scarce and dear .