manatee

[ man-uh-tee, man-uh-tee ]
/ ˈmæn əˌti, ˌmæn əˈti /

noun

any of several plant-eating aquatic mammals of the genus Trichechus, of West Indian, Floridian, and Gulf Coast waters, having two flippers in front and a broad, spoon-shaped tail: all species are endangered.

Origin of manatee

1545–55; < Spanish manatí < Carib, but associated with Latin manātus provided with hands

Words nearby manatee

manas, manassas, manasseh, manassite, manat, manatee, manatu, manatí, manaus, manavelins, manawa

Example sentences from the Web for manatee

British Dictionary definitions for manatee

manatee
/ (ˈmænəˌtiː, ˌmænəˈtiː) /

noun

any sirenian mammal of the genus Trichechus, occurring in tropical coastal waters of America, the Caribbean, and Africa: family Trichechidae. They resemble whales and have a prehensile upper lip and a broad flattened tail

Derived forms of manatee

manatoid, adjective

Word Origin for manatee

C16: via Spanish from Carib Manattouī