dolphin

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical

n. a large, colourful tropical fish that is also called mahi-mahi.

n. a large, brightly coloured oceanic fish, Coryphaena hippurus, also known as the dorado or mahi-mahi.

“The restaurant serves grilled dolphin, but it is a fish, not the mammal.”

“Anglers prize the common dolphin fish for its vibrant iridescent colours and its reputation as a powerful fighter when hooked.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a post or structure in the water used for tying up ships.

n. a man-made maritime structure, such as a piling or buoy, used for mooring vessels or protecting bridges from impact.

“The captain carefully steered the ship toward the concrete dolphin to tie the ropes.”

“The port authority installed several steel dolphins to provide additional mooring points for the large tankers entering the narrow channel.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun History Archaic

n. an old word for the eldest son of the King of France.

n. a historical variant of 'dauphin', referring to the eldest son of the kings of France.

“The young dolphin was expected to become the next king.”

“Historical documents from the fourteenth century refer to the king's heir as the dolphin, a title later standardised as dauphin.”