0 a strong, flexible material (= one that is able to bend) found as several hanging pieces in the upper part of the mouth of some types of whale, used in the past for example for making corsets (= a tight piece of underwear worn to make the waist appear smaller): --
It is typically powered by a wound spring made of whalebone, and the actions are controlled by a set of cams and levers.
Being compelled by his health to return home, he then amused himself with making a clock having wooden wheels and a whalebone spring.
These first kayaks were constructed from stitched seal or other animal skins stretched over a wood or whalebone-skeleton frame.
Steel and baleen (whalebone) were the dominant materials for boning and were occasionally used together.
The crinolines were made of whalebone and were covered with layers of flounced petticoats.
To pass the time, some sailors used the leftover whalebone to make homecoming gifts for their friends and loved ones.
By the 1830s, women had started to wear petticoats with hoops of whalebone or cane inside the hem.
To increase rigidity, they were reinforced with many strips of whalebone, cording, or pieces of leather.