aardwolf

noun aard·wolf \ -ˌwu̇lf \

Definition of aardwolf

plural aardwolves play \-ˌwu̇lvz\

: 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

Illustration of aardwolf

Origin and Etymology of aardwolf

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

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1833

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year