BALEEN Ba*leen", n. Etym: [F. baleine whale and whalibone, L. balaena a whale; cf. Gr. . ] (Zoöl. & Com.)
Defn: Plates or blades of "whalebone," from two to twelve feet long, and sometimes a foot wide, which in certain whales (Balænoidea) are attached side by side along the upper jaw, and form a fringelike sieve by which the food is retained in the mouth.
BALEFIRE
Bale"fire`, n. Etym: [AS. b the fire of the b fire, flame (akin to
Icel. bal, OSlav. b, white, Gr. bright, white, Skr. bhala brightness)
+ f, E. fire.]
Defn: A signal fire; an alarm fire.
Sweet Teviot! on thy silver tide The glaring balefires blaze no more.
Sir W. Scott.
BALEFUL
Bale"ful, a. Etym: [AS. bealoful. See Bale misery.]
1. Full of deadly or pernicious influence; destructive. "Baleful enemies." Shak. Four infernal rivers that disgorge Into the burning lake their baleful streams. Milton.
2. Full of grief or sorrow; woeful; sad. [Archaic]
BALEFULLY
Bale"ful*ly, adv.
Defn: In a baleful manner; perniciously.
BALEFULNESS
Bale"ful*ness, n.