from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Beluga \Be*lu"ga\ (b[-e]*l[=u]"g[.a]), n. [Russ. bieluga a sort
of large sturgeon, prop. white fish, fr. bieluii white. The
whale is now commonly called bieluka in Russian.]
1. (Zool.) A cetacean allied to the dolphins.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The northern beluga ({Delphinapterus catodon}) is the
{white whale} and {white fish} of the whalers. It grows
to be from twelve to eighteen feet long.
[1913 Webster]
2. the sturgeon ({Huso huso}) native to the Black Sea and
Caspian Sea; -- also called {hausen}. It is valued for its
roe, sold as {caviar}, and is also used for production of
isinglass. See also {sturgeon}.
[PJC]
3. the caviar obtained from the beluga[2]; -- also called
{beluga caviar}. The caviar of the beluga is considered
the finest sort, larger and of a taste superior to that
obtained from other sturgeon. See also {sturgeon} and
{caviar}.
[PJC]