sea calf

See also: seacalf and sea-calf

English

Alternative forms

• seacalf, sea-calf

Etymology

From Middle English see calf, ultimately a calque of Latin vitulus marīnus (“sea calf”). Compare French veau marin and German Seekalb. See also sea lion, porcus marīnus (“porpoise”, literally “sea pork”), rāna marīna (“anglerfish”, literally “sea frog”), bōs marīna (“sea cow, dugong”), caballus marīnus (“seahorse”), canis marīnus (“seal”, synonym of vitulus marīnus, literally “sea dog”) and Phoca vitulina.

Noun

sea calf (plural sea calves or (proscribed) sea calfs)

1. (obsolete) The common seal, Phoca vitulina.

Synonyms

• harbor seal