aardvark
See also: aard-vark
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from Afrikaans aardvark (obsolete), erdvark, from aarde (“earth”, from Middle Dutch aerde) + vark (“pig”, from Middle Dutch varken). Early European colonists in South Africa noticed that the animal was similar to a pig, while aarde hints at the animal's habit of burrowing.
Pronunciation edit
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɑːd.vɑːk/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈɑɹd.vɑɹk/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (CA) (file)
Noun edit
aardvark (plural aardvarks)
- The nocturnal, insectivorous, burrowing, mammal Orycteropus afer, of the order Tubulidentata, somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa. [from late 18th c.]
- Synonyms: African anteater, antbear, ant bear, anteater, earth pig
- The aardvark burrows in the ground and feeds mostly on termites, which it catches with its long, slimy tongue.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
mammal
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References edit
- Aard-vark in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911)
- Jonathan E. Lighter, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume I, A-G. Random House USA, 1994. →ISBN. page 1.
Afrikaans edit
Etymology edit
From Dutch aardvarken, from aarde (“earth, soil”) + varken (“pig”).
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file)
Noun edit
aardvark (plural aardvarke)
- Alternative form of erdvark
Descendants edit
- → English: aardvark
Portuguese edit
Etymology edit
Unadapted borrowing from English aardvark.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
aardvark m (plural aardvarks)
- aardvark (mammal)
- Synonyms: see Thesaurus:orictéropo