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aardwolf

noun
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aard·​wolf | \ ˈärd-ˌwu̇lf How to pronounce aardwolf (audio) \
plural aardwolves\ ˈärd-​ˌwu̇lvz How to pronounce aardwolves (audio) \

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

Illustration of aardwolf

Illustration of aardwolf

Examples of aardwolf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The conservation union’s hyena specialist group is currently conducting the largest global survey of the four species of hyena — spotted, striped, brown and the aardwolf — since the 1990s. — Helen Sullivan, New York Times, "In Lebanon, the Hyena’s Main Fear Is Fear Itself," 30 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aardwolf.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of aardwolf

1833, in the meaning defined above

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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Time Traveler for aardwolf

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The first known use of aardwolf was in 1833

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Cite this Entry

“Aardwolf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aardwolf. Accessed 4 Jun. 2020.

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More from Merriam-Webster on aardwolf

Nglish: Translation of aardwolf for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of aardwolf for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aardwolf

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