sea lion
noun/ˈsiː ˈlaɪən/ · /ˈsiːˌlaɪən/
Etymology From sea + lion, named from its marine habitat and its lion-like barking roar and mane. Compare Middle English see hound, cee-hound, se hound (“beaver”, literally “sea-hound”).
1
A pinniped of most genera in the family Otariidae (the eared seals).
- Near-synonym: sea puppy (a seal; informal, humorous)
- But Sophia's mother was not the woman to brook defiance. After a few moments' vain remonstrance her husband complied. His manner and appearance were suggestive of a satiated sea-lion.1921, Ben Travers, chapter 6, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
3 more examples
- Peek a Boo said, "I'm sorry guys, please tell my father that I'm ok. You see, I'm trying to become the first sea lion to become a Navy Seal.” The Jamaican Shaken Crabs looked at each other and said, “I don't know if your father told you, but you're a sea lion and no sea lion has ever become a Navy Seal."2010, Larry Medina, The Adventures of Peek a Boo the Sea Lion, unnumbered page:
- Sea lion pups are born with baby teeth, but most of these are replaced with permanent adult teeth by the time the pup is four months old. An adult sea lion has a total of 34 to 36 teeth, with 10 incisors in the front (six in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw) plus two long canines and 10 to 12 cheek teeth on each side. Sea lions do not chew their food.2013, Caroline Arnold, Sea Lion, page 28:
- When people ask me what the circus is really like behind the scenes, I tell them about runaway gypsy wagons, vanished acrobats, desperate ringmasters and recalcitrant sea lions to name a few.2013, Paul Binder, Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion: And Other Uncommon Tales from the Founder of the Big Apple Circus, page 6:
2
Government, Heraldry, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Monarchy, Nobility, Politics A monster consisting of the upper part of a lion combined with the tail of a fish (a lion marined).
3
US, Historical, Slang A steamer transporting cattle from the ports of Texas.
4
US, Historical, Slang A cow or bull transported by steamer from the ports of Texas.
- Derived terms
- California sea lion, Galapagos sea lion, Galápagos sea lion, sealion, South American sea lion, Steller sea lion