DCHP-3

square-flipper (seal)

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

n.

a species of seal, Erignathus barbatus, characterized by its large size and prominent beardlike bristles about the mouth.

Quotations

1832
Five kinds . . . come down to the coasts of Labrador, Newfoundland, and to the Gulf of St. Lawrence: the harp seal . . . the hooded seal . . . the square flipper, the blue seal, and the jar seal.
1873
On that day they shot a large square-flipper seal which served them for food for twelve days.
1939
A great square-flipper broke the water and set us dragging the dogs to a halt and reaching for a rifle.
1957
They were immensely strong and could carry off a square-flipper seal single-handed.