baleen
/bəˈlin/
noun
- A flexible, horny material found in the mouths of certain whales, used to filter small food like krill from the water.
- Baleen is made of keratin, the same substance as human hair and nails.
- The whale opens its mouth wide and lets water flow through its baleen to catch food.
- In the past, baleen was used to make corsets and umbrella ribs.
Synonyms