pan·go·lin (p ng g -l n, pn-)n. Any of several long-tailed, scale-covered mammals of the order Pholidota of tropical Africa and Asia, having a long snout and a sticky tongue for catching and eating ants and termites. Also called scaly anteater. [Malay pengguling : peng-, instrumental pref. + guling, to roll over (from its habit of rolling up into a ball when frightened).] |
pangolin [pæŋˈgəʊlɪn]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any mammal of the order Pholidota found in tropical Africa, S Asia, and Indonesia, having a body covered with overlapping horny scales and a long snout specialized for feeding on ants and termites Also called scaly anteater
[from Malay peng-gōling, from gōling to roll over; from its ability to roll into a ball]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  pangolin - toothless mammal of southern Africa and Asia having a body covered with horny scales and a long snout for feeding on ants and termiteseutherian, eutherian mammal, placental, placental mammal - mammals having a placenta; all mammals except monotremes and marsupials genus Manis, Manis - type genus of the Manidae |
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