n. [ L. orca, a kind of whale: cf. F. orque. ] 1. (Zool.) Any of several cetaceans, especialy the grampus (Grampus griseus) of the dolphin family. [ Written also ork and orch. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

An island salt and bare,
The haunt of seals, and orcs, and sea-mews' clang. Milton (Par. Lost xi. 835).

2. (Mythology) A mythical monster of varying descriptions; an ogre. [ PJC ]

Goblins, hobgoblins, and orcs of the worst description. J. J. Tolkien (The Hobbit)

3. The orca. [ PJC ]

prop. n. The killer whale (Orcinus orca). [ PJC ]

a. [ L. Orcades the Orkney Islands. ] Of or pertaining to the Orkney Islands. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A reddish brown amorphous dyestuff, C7H7NO3, obtained from orcin, and forming the essential coloring matter of cudbear and archil. It is closely related to litmus. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Archil. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. orcanète. ] (Bot.) Same as Alkanet, 2. Ainsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. ortgeard, wyrtgeard, lit., wortyard, i. e., a yard for herbs; wyrt herb + geard yard. See Wort, Yard inclosure. ] 1. A garden. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An inclosure containing fruit trees; also, the fruit trees, collectively; -- used especially of apples, peaches, pears, cherries, plums, or the like, less frequently of nutbearing trees and of sugar maple trees. [ 1913 Webster ]

Orchard grass (Bot.), a tall coarse grass (Dactylis glomerata), introduced into the United States from Europe. It grows usually in shady places, and is of value for forage and hay. --
Orchard house (Hort.), a glazed structure in which fruit trees are reared in pots. --
Orchard oriole (Zool.), a bright-colored American oriole (Icterus spurius), which frequents orchards. It is smaller and darker thah the Baltimore oriole. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The cultivation of orchards. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Orchards, in general. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who cultivates an orchard. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Archil. [ 1913 Webster ]