tarsier

[ tahr-see-er, -see-ey ]
/ ˈtɑr si ər, -siˌeɪ /

noun

a small, arboreal, nocturnal primate of the genus Tarsius, of Indonesia and the Philippines, having a long thin tail, very large immobile eyes, and prominent pads on the fingers and toes: all populations are dwindling.

Origin of tarsier

1765–75; < French, equivalent to tarse tarsus + -ier -ier2

Words nearby tarsier

tarsalgia, tarseal, tarsectomy, tarshish, tarsia, tarsier, tarsitis, tarski, tarso-, tarsocheiloplasty, tarsoclasis

Example sentences from the Web for tarsier

British Dictionary definitions for tarsier

tarsier
/ (ˈtɑːsɪə) /

noun

any of several nocturnal arboreal prosimian primates of the genus Tarsius, of Indonesia and the Philippines, having huge eyes, long hind legs, and digits ending in pads to facilitate climbing: family Tarsiidae

Word Origin for tarsier

C18: from French, from tarse the flat of the foot; see tarsus