WHALER Meaning and
Definition
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A whaler is a noun that refers to a person or a vessel involved in the practice of hunting and capturing whales for their blubber, oil, baleen, or meat. Historically, whalers were prominent figures in the maritime industry during the 18th and 19th centuries. They embarked on perilous voyages to distant oceans, equipping their vessels with harpoons, lances, and other tools necessary for hunting these marine mammals.
The term "whaler" also denotes the vessel itself, commonly known as a whaling ship or whaling boat. These vessels were specifically designed for the purpose of whaling, featuring a sturdy hull, large deck space, and storage facilities to accommodate the whale products harvested during expeditions. Often equipped with tryworks for extracting oil from blubber, these ships were equipped with all the essentials needed for long and challenging whaling campaigns.
Whalers played a crucial role in the extraction of valuable resources derived from whales, such as oil used for various purposes (e.g., lighting, lubrication, and manufacturing) and baleen employed in the production of corsets, umbrella ribs, and other items. However, the whaling industry eventually declined due to overhunting, stricter regulations, and the development of alternative resources. Nowadays, the term "whaler" is used predominantly in historical or academic contexts, referring to the era when whale hunting thrived and when these individuals and ships gained prominence as key contributors to international trade and commerce.
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A ship or person employed in the whale-fishery; a long narrow boat used when pursuing and harpooning the whale.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for WHALER
Etymology of WHALER
The word "whaler" is derived from the noun "whale" combined with the suffix "-er".
The term "whale" comes from the Old English word "hwæl" or "hwal", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hwalaz". This ultimately originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kwal-", meaning "to turn" or "to roll". It is believed that this root was used to describe the twisting or rolling motion of whales in the water.
The suffix "-er" is commonly used in English to denote a person or object that performs a specific action or function. In the case of "whaler", the suffix "-er" is added to "whale" to indicate a person involved in the activity of whaling, which is the hunting and capturing of whales.
Similar spelling words for WHALER
