Defn: Any small cetacean of the genus Phocæna, especially P. communis, or P. phocæna, of Europe, and the closely allied American species (P. Americana). The color is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They are closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter snout. Called also harbor porpoise, herring hag, puffing pig, and snuffer.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A true dolphin (Delphinus); — often so called by sailors.
Skunk porpoise, or Bay porpoise (Zoöl.), a North American porpoise
(Lagenorhynchus acutus), larger than the common species, and with
broad stripes of white and yellow on the sides. See Illustration in
Appendix.
PORPORINO
Por`po*ri"no, n. Etym: [It.]
Defn: A composition of quicksilver, tin, and sulphur, forming a yellow powder, sometimes used by mediæval artists, for the sake of economy, instead of gold. Fairholt.
PORPUS
Por"pus, n.
Defn: A porpoise. [Obs.] Swift.
PORRACEOUS
Por*ra"ceous, a. Etym: [L. porraceus, from porrum, porrus, a leek.]
Defn: Resembling the leek in color; greenish. [R.] "Porraceous vomiting." Wiseman.
PORRECT Por*rect", a. Etym: [L. porrectus, p. p. of porrigere to stretch out before one's self, to but forth.]