aard·vark (ärd värk )n. A burrowing mammal (Orycteropus afer) of southern Africa, having a stocky, hairy body, large ears, a long tubular snout, and powerful digging claws. [Obsolete Afrikaans : aarde, earth (from Middle Dutch aerde; see er-2 in Indo-European roots) + vark, pig (from Middle Dutch varken; see porko- in Indo-European roots).] |
aardvark [ˈɑːdˌvɑːk]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) a nocturnal mammal, Orycteropus afer, the sole member of its family (Orycteropodidae) and order (Tubulidentata). It inhabits the grasslands of Africa, has long ears and snout, and feeds on termites Also called ant bear
[from obsolete Afrikaans, from aarde earth + varken pig]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  aardvark - nocturnal burrowing mammal of the grasslands of Africa that feeds on termites; sole extant representative of the order Tubulidentataeutherian, eutherian mammal, placental, placental mammal - mammals having a placenta; all mammals except monotremes and marsupials genus Orycteropus, Orycteropus - coextensive with the family Orycteropodidae |
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