Hypertext Webster Gateway: "blowhole"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

2. A nostril or spiracle in the top of the head of a whale or
other cetacean.

Note: There are two spiracles or blowholes in the common
whales, but only one in sperm whales, porpoises, etc.

3. A hole in the ice to which whales, seals, etc., come to
breathe.

4. (Founding) An air hole in a casting.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (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}]


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