セイウチ
also: かいぞう
セ
イ
ウ
チ
Meanings
1
walrus
usually written using kana alone
The large marine mammal Odobenus rosmarus. Usually written in katakana as セイウチ. The kanji 海象 is a gikun reading.
from Russian sivuch
I saw a big walrus at the aquarium.
The walrus's long tusks are distinctive.
2
elephant seal
Only when written 海象 · Only with reading かいぞう
Refers to the elephant seal (Mirounga spp.), a different marine mammal. This sense is restricted to the reading かいぞう and the kanji 海象. It is a rare, specialized term; the more common word is ゾウアザラシ.
See also: ゾウアザラシ
海象 (かいぞう) is sometimes used as another name for the elephant seal.