Main Entry: ser·val

Pronunciation: \ˈsər-vəl, (ˌ)sər-ˈval\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from Portuguese lobo cerval lynx, from Medieval Latin lupus cervalis, literally, deerlike wolf

Date: 1771

: a long-legged African wildcat (Felis serval) having large ears and a tawny black-spotted coat

[serval illustration]