What is "white whale"

Beluga \Be*lu"ga\ (b[-e]*l[=u]"g[.a]), n. [Russ. bieluga a sort of large sturgeon, prop. white fish, fr. bieluii white. The whale is now commonly called bieluka in Russian.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A cetacean allied to the dolphins.

   Note: The northern beluga ( Delphinapterus catodon) is the white whale and white fish of the whalers. It grows to be from twelve to eighteen feet long.

2. the sturgeon ( Huso huso) native to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea; -- also called hausen. It is valued for its roe, sold as caviar, and is also used for production of isinglass. See also sturgeon.

3. the caviar obtained from the beluga[2]; -- also called beluga caviar. The caviar of the beluga is considered the finest sort, larger and of a taste superior to that obtained from other sturgeon. See also sturgeon and caviar.

n. 1 A cetacean, ''Delphinapterus leucas'', found in the Arctic Ocean. 2 (context figuratively English) An obsession; monomania. 3 (context trading cards English) A printing plate used to manufacture a particular sports card, that is then issued as a collectible itself.

n. small northern whale that is white when adult [syn: beluga, Delphinapterus leucas]

White Whale or Beluga whale is an Arctic and sub-Arctic species of cetacean.

White Whale may also refer to:

• White Whale (band), a band based in Lawrence, Kansas
• Operation White Whale, a 2005 international money-laundering ring
• White Whale Records, a defunct 1960s record label

White Whale is a Lawrence, Kansas-based indie rock band composed of former members of Butterglory, The Get Up Kids, and Thee Higher Burning Fire. They are signed to Merge Records and released their first full-length album WW1 on July 25, 2006.