DCHP-3

sea unicorn

Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

the narwhal, Monodon monoceros.

Quotations

1577
On this west shoare we found a dead fishe floating, whiche had in his nose a horn streight and tourquet of length two yards lacking two ynches, being broken in the top, where we might perceive it hollow . . . We supposed it to be a sea unicorne.
1578
This horn is wreathed and strayte, like in fashion to a Taper made of waxe, and maye truely be thoughte to be the sea Unicorne.
1748
It is a thing out of Question, that all Sorts of Fish, but more especially the larger Sorts, such as Sea-Unicorns and Whales, are found in great Numbers in these Northern Parts.
1897
The narwhal, or sea unicorn, is valuable for its oil and ivory.