baleine

whale

noun bah-LEN Less Common

Usage Note

Baleine also refers to the rigid strip (originally whalebone) used in corsets and umbrella ribs — les baleines d'un parapluie are the umbrella's spokes. Baleine à bosse is a humpback whale; baleine bleue is a blue whale. The expression rire comme une baleine (to laugh like a whale) means to laugh uproariously.

Examples

"Une baleine bleue a été aperçue au large."

Natural Translation

A blue whale was spotted offshore.

Literal Translation

A blue whale was spotted in the open sea.

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