The Russian roots of the word 'beluga'

'Beluga' is a word borrowed from Russian 'belukha'. The word entered the English language some time around 1772.

beluga [noun] [1772]

• a large white sturgeon ( syn. ) of the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and their tributaries
• caviar processed from beluga roe
• a toothed whale (Delphinapterus leucas) of arctic and subarctic waters having a fusiform body that is about 10 to 15 ...

See 'beluga' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Russian, from 'belyĭ' white; akin to Greek 'phalios' having a white spot

See more loan words from 1700s.