aardvark

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English [edit]

Aardvark
Wikipedia has an article on:

Wikipedia

Wikispecies has information on:

Wikispecies

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Afrikaans aardvarken (obsolete), erdvark, from Afrikaans aarde (earth), (from Dutch, from Middle Dutch aerde) + Afrikaans vark (pig), (from Middle Dutch varken (pig)).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]

Wikisource
See also the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica's article on:
  • (RP) IPA: /ˈɑːɹdˌvɑːɹk/, /ˈɑːd.vɑːk/, X-SAMPA: /":A(r\)d%vA:(r\)k/
  • (US) IPA: /ˈɑɹdˌvɑɹk/, /ˈɑd.vɑk/, X-SAMPA: /"Ar\d%vAr\k/

Noun [edit]

aardvark (plural aardvarks)

  1. The nocturnal, insectivorous, burrowing, mammal Orycteropus afer, of the order Tubulidentata, somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa. [First attested in the late 18th c.]
    The aardvark burrows in the ground and feeds mostly on termites, which it catches with its long, slimy tongue.
  2. (slang, particularly in the southeast US) A silly or credulous person who is prone to mistakes or blunders.
    I walked into the wrong bathroom like a total aardvark.

Synonyms [edit]

Translations [edit]


Afrikaans [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Dutch aarde (earth, soil) +‎ varken (pig).

Noun [edit]

aardvark (plural aardvarke)

  1. Obsolete form of erdvark.