pangolin

[ pang-guh-lin, pang-goh- ]
/ ˈpæŋ gə lɪn, pæŋˈgoʊ- /

noun

any mammal of the order Pholidota, of Africa and tropical Asia, having a covering of broad, overlapping, horny scales and feeding on ants and termites.
Also called scaly anteater.

Origin of pangolin

1765–75; < Malay pengguling (dial. or bazaar Malay name for the animal) one who rolls up, equivalent to peng- agentive prefix + guling roll up or around; so called from its habit of curling into a ball when threatened

Words nearby pangolin

pangfou, pangloss, panglossian, pango pango, pangola grass, pangolin, pangram, panguingue, pangwe, panhandle, panhandle state

Example sentences from the Web for pangolin

  • Lastly, the pangolin (Manis) is represented by two species in the eastern Himalaya.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 |Various

  • In their belts they carried several knives, while the musket and the little round cap of pangolin skin completed their equipment.

    The Great White Queen |William Le Queux

  • This ant-eater is known as the “pangolin,” or “manis,” but there are several species of “pangolin” not African.

    The Bush Boys |Captain Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for pangolin

pangolin
/ (pæŋˈɡəʊlɪn) /

noun

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

Word Origin for pangolin

C18: from Malay peng-gōling, from gōling to roll over; from its ability to roll into a ball