potvis
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Dutch[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- potvisch (obsolete)
Etymology[edit]
Compound of pot (“pot”) + vis (“fish”). The part pot refers to the sperm whale's blunt head due to its melon and spermaceti organ.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
potvis m (plural potvissen, diminutive potvisje n)
- sperm whale, Physeter catodon (syn. Physeter macrocephalus)
- sperm whale, any member of the family Physeteridae, including the above and several prehistoric species