Calve (Verb)
Meaning 1
Release ice; "The icebergs and glaciers calve".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The massive glacier at the edge of the Arctic began to calve, releasing massive chunks of ice into the ocean.
- As the climate continues to change, Antarctica's largest glaciers are expected to calve at an alarming rate.
- The most famous example of a glacier that begins to calve is the Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland.
- This season, scientists expect the polar glaciers to calve excessively due to warmer ocean waters.
- During the expedition to Alaska, the team witnessed the incredible sight of a glacier calving as it cracked and broke away.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Give birth to (a calf); "the whales calve at this time of year".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- The elephant cow was expected to calve within the next few weeks as the zookeepers closely monitored her health.
- Every year, grey whales migrate to warmer waters to calve and nurse their young before the long journey back north.
- Humpback whales often travel great distances to areas protected from strong currents to calve in safety.
- During the summer solstice, humpback whales are known to calve in these narrow channels surrounded by icebergs.
- It's rare for giraffe mothers to calve during the cold winter months due to reduced food availability.