walvis

Etymology

From Dutch walvis, from Middle Dutch walvisch, from Old Dutch walvisk, a compound of *wal (“whale”) +‎ fisk (“fish”), presumably to clarify the meaning.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /val.fəs/

Noun

walvis (plural walvisse, diminutive walvissie)

1. whale (marine mammal)

Etymology

From Middle Dutch walvisch, from Old Dutch walvisk, from *wal (“whale”), presumably to clarify the meaning. Old Dutch *wal is from Proto-Germanic *hwalaz, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kʷálos (“sheatfish”). See also waldier, walrus, grindewal.

Cognate with West Frisian walfisk, German Walfisch. The simple form is cognate with German Wal, English whale, Danish hval, Swedish val.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʋɑl.vɪs/

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Noun

walvis m (plural walvissen, diminutive walvisje n)

1. whale