Main Entry:

chee·tah

Pronunciation:

\ˈchē-tə\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural cheetahs also cheetah

Etymology:

Hindi cītā & Urdu chītā leopard, from Sanskrit citraka, from citra bright, variegated; akin to Old High German heitar bright — more at -hood

Date:

1610

: a long-legged spotted swift-moving African and formerly Asian cat (Acinonyx jubatus) about the size of a small leopard that has blunt nonretractile claws

[cheetah illustration]