flense

[ flens ]

verb (used with object)

, flensed, flens·ing.

1. to strip the blubber or the skin from (a whale, seal, etc.).
2. to strip off (blubber or skin).

flense

/ flɛns; flɪntʃ; flɛntʃ /

verb

1. tr to strip (a whale, seal, etc) of (its blubber or skin)

Derived Forms

• ˈflenser, noun

Other Words From

• flenser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flense¹

1805–15; < Danish flense or Dutch flensen

Word History and Origins

Origin of flense¹

C19: from Danish flense ; related to Dutch flensen

Example Sentences

According to Hussey, the harbor had a “most appalling stench” from the dead whales moored in the harbor awaiting flensing.

From Literature

"The Offer," which confuses a baring-it-all origin story with a botched whale flensing, does not substantively change that.

From Salon

He may create clothes capable of spooking you with their Sweeney Todd aura or look of flensed anatomies.

From New York Times

The new book is bloated and unwieldy, however; it lacks the blunt power of its predecessor, which was stark and swift, flensed of artifice.

From New York Times

Dad slammed drums in and out of the blaster, a bellowing beast that flensed 55-gallon steel drums to bare metal by bombarding them with steel shot.

From New York Times