WEY, w[=a], _n._ a measure or weight differing with different articles=182
lb. wool, 40 bushels salt or corn, 48 bushels oats, &c. [_Weigh_.]
WHACK, hwak, _v.t._ to thwack: (_slang_) to parcel out, share.--_v.i._ to
keep on striking: (_slang_) to settle accounts.--_n._ a blow: a stroke,
share.--_n._ WHACK'ER (_slang_), something big.--_adj._ WHACK'ING, very
large, astounding. [_Thwack_.]
WHAISLE, WHAIZLE, hw[=a]'zl, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to wheeze. [A form of
_wheeze_.]
WHALE, hw[=a]l, _n._ the common name of a cetaceous mammal, the largest of
sea-animals, including the _toothed_ whales, such as Sperm Whale and
Dolphin, and the _whalebone_ whales, such as Right Whale and Rorqual, in
which the teeth are only embryonic.--_v.i._ to take whales.--_ns._
WHALE'-BACK, a boat whose maindecks are covered in and rounded, for rough
seas; WHALE'-BOAT, a long, narrow boat used in the pursuit of whales;
WHALE'BONE, a light flexible substance consisting of the baleen plates of
the Arctic and allied whales.--_adj._ made of whalebone.--_ns._
WHALE'-CALF, a young whale--also CALF WHALE; WHALE'-FISH'ER, one engaged in
whale-fishery or the hunting of whales; WHALE'-FISH'ERY; WHALE'-FISH'ING;
WHALE'-LINE, strong rope used for harpoon-lines in the whale-fishery;
WHALE'-LOUSE, a genus of Crustacea, parasitic on the skin of Cetaceans;
WHALE'-MAN, WH[=A]L'ER, a person employed in whale-fishing; WHALE'-OIL, oil
obtained from the blubber of a whale; WH[=A]L'ER, WHALE'SHIP, a ship
employed in the whale-fishing; WH[=A]L'ERY, whaling.--_adj._ WH[=A]L'ING,
connected with whale-catching.--_n._ the business of catching
whales.--_ns._ WH[=A]L'ING-GUN, a contrivance for killing whales by means
of a projectile; WH[=A]L'ING-MAS'TER, the captain of a whaler;
WH[=A]L'ING-PORT, a port where whalers are registered.--WHALE'S BONE,
ivory.--BULL WHALE, an adult male whale. [A.S. _hwæl_ (Ice. _hvalr_, Ger.
_walfisch_); orig. unknown.]