aardvark

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Pronunciation 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Synonyms 1.4.2 Translations 2 Afrikaans 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Noun 2.2.1 Usage notes

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

Wikipedia

• aard-vark

[edit] Etymology

Afrikaans from aarde (“‘earth’”), and vark (“‘pig’”); hence "earth-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. The word was loaned from Afrikaans in the late 18th century.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈɑːdˌvɑːk/
• (US) IPA: /ˈɑɹdˌvɑɹk/

[edit] Noun

aardvark (plural aardvarks)

1. (zoology) The mammal Orycteropus afer, of the order Tubulidentata, somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

   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.

[edit] Synonyms

• African anteater
• antbear, ant bear or ant-bear
• anteater
• earth pig

[edit] Translations

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[edit] Afrikaans

[edit] Etymology

From Dutch aarde 'earth, soil' + varken 'pig'.

[edit] Noun

aardvark

1. (obsolete) An aardvark

[edit] Usage notes

This word is obsolete; the extant form is erdvark.