A whale is a large marine
mammal, one of the larger cetacean mammals that has flippers,
a streamlined body, and a blowhole. The word whale may also be
used as an adjective to signify something outstanding or
impressive, and used as a verb to mean to thrash soundly, to
beat upon, or to go fishing for whales. The word whale is
derived from the Old English word hwæl.
A wail is a
high-pitched cry of grief, anger, or pain. Wail may be used as
a noun or a verb. Wail is also used by American jazz musicians
to mean 'play well', as in, he can sure wail on that sax. Wail
comes from the Old Norse word væla, which means to lament.
A wale is the
welt that raises up on the skin after a whipping. Wale may
also be used to refer to a ridge of corduroy fabric or the
weave of a fabric in general. Wale also refers to the
horizontal band on a basket. Wale is derived from the Old
English word walu, which means ridge of earth or stone, as
well as stripe or weal.