aardwolf

noun

aard·wolf | \-ˌwu̇lf

\

plural aardwolves\-ˌwu̇lvz

\

Definition of aardwolf

: a maned striped nocturnal mammal (Proteles cristatus) of southern and eastern Africa that resembles the related hyenas and feeds chiefly on insects and especially termites

History and Etymology for aardwolf

borrowed from early Afrikaans, from aarde "earth" + wolf "wolf"; akin to Old English eorthe "earth" and to Old English wulf "wolf" — more at earth entry 1, wolf entry 1

Note: Regarding early Afrikaans aarde, see note at aardvark. The modern Afrikaans name for the animal is maanhaarjakkal.

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The first known use of aardwolf was in 1833

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