Main Entry:

gi·raffe

Pronunciation:

\jə-ˈraf\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural giraffes

Etymology:

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

Date:

circa 1600

1or 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 lines2capitalized : camelopardalis

— gi·raff·ish \-ˈra-fish\ adjective

[giraffe illustration]