a. [f. L. urs-a or urs-us bear + -AL.] Resembling a bear in disposition or characteristic features; hence fig., bearish. (Cf. URSINE a. 3.)
1837. Fraser’s Mag., XVI. 201. The subsequent encouragement of these ursal authorities was generally referable to military commanders.
1840. trans. Cuvier’s Anim. Kingd., 100. The Otaries [include] … The Ursal … (Arctocephalus ursinus …)—Eight feet long, no mane, varying from brown to whitish.
1848. Maunder, Treas. Nat. Hist., 718/2. Ursal, [applied to] a species of Seal,… It is said to be … most pugnacious and ferocious.
