humpback

• Nom désignant une grande baleine (Megaptera novaeangliae), reconnaissable à ses très longues nageoires pectorales, à sa tête bosselée et à ses sauts spectaculaires hors de l'eau, ou un saumon à dos bossu.

A noun referring to a type of large whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) known for its long pectoral fins, knobby head, and distinctive breaching behavior, or a type of salmon with a humped back.

1. Humpback whaleB1formal

   A large baleen whale known for its long pectoral fins and distinctive hump before the dorsal fin.

   Baleine à bosse

   • We saw a humpback breaching near the boat.
   • Humpbacks migrate thousands of miles each year.
   • The humpback's song can be heard underwater for miles.

   Synonymeshumpback whale

2. Hunchback (archaic/offensive)C1informal

   An outdated and now offensive term for a person with a hunched back.

   bossu (terme archaïque et offensant)

   • The term 'humpback' is considered offensive when referring to a person.
   • In old literature, characters with humpbacks were often portrayed as villains.
   • Modern medical terminology uses 'kyphosis' instead of humpback.

   Synonymescrookbackhunchback