whale's guide

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English

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Noun

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whale's guide

  1. (obsolete) A type of small fish thought to accompany the whale.
    • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes [], book II, London: [] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount [], →OCLC:
      it is in shape like a Gudgeon, and both the Latines and we, call it the Whales-guide; for, she doth ever follow him, suffering her selfe, as easily to be led and turned by him, as a ship is directed and turned by a sterne [].
    • 1730, Matthew Concanen, The Speculatist, page 267:
      This tiny Creature is the Whale's Guide, and therefore protected by him, while all the finny Race besides are his Prey.