baleiner

Senses

1. 1.

   to whale

   to engage in whale hunting

2. 2.

   to stay (a corset or garment)

   to insert baleines (whalebone stays) into clothing for structural support

Examples

• "Les baleiniers balenaient dans l'océan Atlantique au XIXe siècle."

  Whalers hunted whales in the Atlantic Ocean in the nineteenth century.

• "Les couturières balenaient les corsets pour les rendre rigides."

  Seamstresses stayed corsets with whalebone to make them rigid.

Usage

A rare or archaic verb. The sense 'to whale' is historical and refers to whaling expeditions. The dressmaking sense 'to stay (with whalebone)' is also dated, relating to traditional corsetry practices. The noun baleine means 'whale' or 'whalebone stay'.