megaptera versabilis

1 definition found

megaptera versabilis - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Humpback \Hump"back`\, n. [Cf. Hunchback.]
     1. A crooked back; a humped back. --Tatler.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A humpbacked person; a hunchback.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.)
        (a) Any whale of the genus Megaptera, characterized by a
            hump or bunch on the back. Several species are known.
            The most common ones in the North Atlantic are
            Megaptera longimana of Europe, and Megaptera  osphyia
             of America; that of the California coasts is
            Megaptera versabilis.
        (b) A small salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), of the
            northwest coast of America; the humpbacked salmon.
            [1913 Webster]