Orca etymology

Etymology

The word "orca" is derived from the Latin word "orca," which in turn is derived from the Greek word "ὄρκος" (orkos), meaning "oath" or "testicle."

Meaning

The word "orca" has two main meanings:

• Killer whale: A large, predatory marine mammal belonging to the family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins).
• Testicle: A male reproductive organ that produces sperm and testosterone. This meaning is now archaic and is rarely used in modern English.

Origin

The Greek word "ὄρκος" (orkos) is believed to have originally referred to the testicle because of its resemblance to the shape of an oath tablet, which was a piece of wood or stone inscribed with a religious oath. Later, the word came to be applied to the killer whale due to its size and predatory behavior, which were seen as reminiscent of the characteristics of a powerful and virile male.

Orca relate terms

• ogre

  Etymology The word ogre is derived from the Latin word orcus which means underworl

• Orca

  Etymology The word orca is derived from the Latin word orca which in turn is derived

• grampus

  Etymology The word grampus originates from the Latin word grampus which is derived

• dolphin

  Etymology The word dolphin is derived from the Greek word delphis which in turn com

• whale

  Etymology The word whale comes from the Old English word hwæl which is thought to

• wolf

  Etymology Old English wulf Proto Germanic wulfaz Proto Indo European root wĺ̥kʷ

• bedlam

  Etymology The word bedlam derives from the name of the mental hospital in London Bethl

• pastor

  Etymology Latin pastor meaning shepherd or herdsman Old English pastor mean

• locomotive

  Etymology The word locomotive is derived from Latin loco place motus moved

• diamond

  Etymology The word diamond comes from the Greek word adámas meaning unconquerable

• constitution

  Etymology The word constitution originates from the Latin word constitutio which me