aardvark

[ ahrd-vahrk ]
/ ˈɑrdˌvɑrk /

noun

a large, nocturnal, burrowing mammal, Orycteropus afer, of central and southern Africa, feeding on ants and termites and having a long, extensile tongue, strong claws, and long ears.

Origin of aardvark

1825–35; < Afrikaans erdvark < Dutch aardvarken, equivalent to aarde earth + varken pig; see farrow1

Words nearby aardvark

Example sentences from the Web for aardvark

British Dictionary definitions for aardvark

aardvark
/ (ˈɑːdˌvɑːk) /

noun

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

Word Origin for aardvark

C19: from obsolete Afrikaans, from aarde earth + varken pig