sea lion

Meaning

Noun

1. A marine mammal of most genera in the family Otariidae (the eared seals).
2. A monster consisting of the upper part of a lion combined with the tail of a fish (a lion marined).
3. (US, historical, slang) A steamer transporting cattle from the ports of Texas.
4. (US, historical, slang) A cow or bull transported by steamer from the ports of Texas.

Verb

Alternative form of sealion (“engage in disingenuous debate”).

Synonyms

eared seal

morse

seal

🦭

hair seal

briney tomker

fishtailed

Translations

Seelöwe

zeeleeuw

otarie

leão-marinho

otaria

león marino

leone marino

lion de mer

lleó marí

Eumetopias

θαλάσσιο λιοντάρι

lion poisson

zalophus

mit Fischschweif

mariné

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsiː ˈlaɪən/

Etymology

Cognate with Middle English: see hound

In summary

From sea + lion, named from its marine habitat and its lion-like barking roar and mane. Compare Middle English see hound, cee-hound, se hound (“beaver”, literally “sea-hound”).