How Do You Spell WHALEBONE?

Pronunciation: [wˈe͡ɪlbə͡ʊn] (IPA)

The spelling of "whalebone" can be confusing due to the fact that it contains a silent letter. The word is pronounced /weɪlbəʊn/, with the "w" being the only sound pronounced at the beginning of the word. The "h" in "whalebone" is completely silent, making it easy to mistakenly leave it out when writing the word. Additionally, the spelling of "whale" can also be tricky, as it contains the unusual combination of "wh" making the "hw" sound. However, with practice and attention to detail, one can master the correct spelling of this interesting word.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Plural
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WHALEBONE Meaning and Definition

  1. Whalebone, also known as baleen, refers to a hard, flexible material derived from the mouths of baleen whales. These whales possess a series of strong, comb-like structures known as baleen plates, which are made primarily of a substance called keratin. These plates protrude from the whale's upper jaw on both sides and serve as a filtering mechanism to sift small organisms, such as krill and plankton, from vast quantities of seawater.

    Traditionally, whalebone has been highly valued and utilized in various industries due to its unique characteristics. Its strength and elasticity make it an ideal material for the production of numerous items. Historically, it has been employed in the manufacturing of corsets, hoop skirts, and various types of accessories, including umbrella ribs, stiffeners for collars and cuffs, and hat frames. Whalebone's ability to be easily shaped and its durability have made it a valuable resource for creating flexible yet robust structures.

    However, due to concerns about the conservation and protection of whale species, the use of whalebone has significantly declined. The International Whaling Commission implemented a whaling ban to safeguard these magnificent creatures, leading to alternative materials being employed in its place. Today, synthetic materials, such as plastic or nylon, often substitute whalebone in manufacturing processes.

    Overall, whalebone encompasses the unique, flexible material found within the mouths of baleen whales. Historically prized for its diverse applications, it has transitioned into a more sustainable era, with alternative materials now used in its stead.

  2. An elastic horny substance obtained from the upper jaw of the whale.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for WHALEBONE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for WHALEBONE

Etymology of WHALEBONE

The word "whalebone" is derived from the combination of two words: "whale" and "bone".

- "Whale" comes from the Old English word "hwæl" or "hwal", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hwalaz" and the Proto-Indo-European word "kwal-o". These origins indicate a strong similarity between the words for whale in various Germanic and Indo-European languages.

- "Bone" stems from the Old English word "bān", also found in other Germanic languages, and has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "*bainam" and the Proto-Indo-European word "*bho(e)n-", meaning "bone" or "to be white".

Plural form of WHALEBONE is WHALEBONES

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Correct spelling for whalebone
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