dictionary definitions for "blowhole"


From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:

  blowhole
      n 1: the spiracle of a cetacean located far back on the skull
      2: a hole for the escape of gas or air [syn: vent,
         venthole, vent-hole]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Blowhole \Blow"hole`\, n.
     1. A cavern in a cliff, at the water level, opening to the
        air at its farther extremity, so that the waters rush in
        with each surge and rise in a lofty jet from the
        extremity.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A nostril or spiracle in the top of the head of a whale or
        other cetacean.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: There are two spiracles or blowholes in the common
           whales, but only one in sperm whales, porpoises, etc.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A hole in the ice to which whales, seals, etc., come to
        breathe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Founding) An air hole in a casting.
        [1913 Webster]


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