Meaning
keratinous material that makes up the plates in the mouth of the baleen whale (Mysticeti), which it uses to trap its food; formerly used in corsetry.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English baleyne, from Old French baleine (“whale, whalebone”), from Latin balaena (“whale”), from Ancient Greek φάλαινα (phálaina, “whale”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
whalebonebattledoreelasticgumracketrubberspringspringboardtrampoline
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 10 recorded puzzles: