narwhal

Meaning

Monodon monoceros, an Arctic cetacean that grows to about 20 feet (6 meters) long, the male having a single horn-like tusk, a twisted, pointed canine tooth that projects forward.

Synonyms

narwal

narwhale

Monodon monoceros

unicorn-fish

Mo odon monoceros

narwhale)

unicorn

🦄

sea unicorn

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈnɑːʍəl/

Etymology

Cognate with Icelandic: náhvalur

In summary

From Dutch narwal or Danish/Norwegian Bokmål narhval, from Old Norse náhvalr, from nár (“corpse”) + hvalr (“whale”). Compare Icelandic náhvalur.