delf etymology

Etymology:

  • French: "delphin"
  • Latin: "delphinus"
  • Greek: "δελφίς" ("delphis")

Meaning:

  • A marine mammal belonging to the family Delphinidae, including dolphins, orcas, and pilot whales.

Origin:

The word "delf" has its origins in the Greek word "delphis," which means "fish with a womb." This is likely due to the fact that dolphins are mammals that give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs like fish.

The name "delphis" was first used by the Greek poet Homer in his epic poem the Odyssey. In the poem, the character Odysseus is shipwrecked and encounters a group of dolphins who help him to safety.

The word "delphis" was later adopted into Latin as "delphinus" and eventually into French as "delphin." The English word "dolphin" is derived from the French word.

Today, the word "delf" is used to refer to a wide variety of marine mammals belonging to the family Delphinidae. These animals are found in all of the world's oceans and are known for their intelligence, playfulness, and social behavior.

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