Main Entry: gi·raffe

Pronunciation: \jə-ˈraf\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural giraffes

Etymology: Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

Date: circa 1600

1 or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines
2 capitalized : camelopardalis

— gi·raff·ish \-ˈra-fish\ adjective

[giraffe illustration]