loris

noun lo·ris \ ˈlȯr-əs \

Definition of loris

: any of several nocturnal slow-moving tailless arboreal primates (family Lorisidae): such as

a : a slim-bodied primate (Loris tardigradus) of southern India and Sri Lanka

b : either of two larger related primates (Nycticebus pygmaeus or N. coucang) of southeastern Asia that are heavier limbed and slower moving

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Recent Examples of loris from the Web

The slow loris, a really adorable primate in Asia, is a great example.

— diane daniel, BostonGlobe.com, "How tourists can help prevent wildlife trafficking and poaching," 20 Mar. 2018
According to THV11 News, the 3-year-old mama is a pygmy slow loris, as is her 7-year-old mate, Frasier.

— saryn chorney, PEOPLE.com, "Twinning — and Winning the Internet! Pygmy Slow Loris Mom Gives Birth to Teeny Twin Babies at Little Rock Zoo," 13 Sep. 2017
Spanning nearly every continent, these animals include the tree kangaroo, Jamaican iguana and slow loris — the last a nocturnal primate native to Southeast Asia with eyes that cover half of its furry face.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "Indianapolis Prize thrusts conservationists into spotlight, names nominees," 12 Sep. 2017
Hurry up and congratulate slow loris mom Mihn Yih of the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas!

— saryn chorney, PEOPLE.com, "Twinning — and Winning the Internet! Pygmy Slow Loris Mom Gives Birth to Teeny Twin Babies at Little Rock Zoo," 13 Sep. 2017
Nobody knew what a loris was before the YouTube video, but now everybody knows them.

— National Geographic, "Why You Shouldn't Share That Cute Lemur Video," 26 Apr. 2016
Nobody knew what a loris was before the YouTube video, but now everybody knows them.

— National Geographic, "Why You Shouldn't Share That Cute Lemur Video," 26 Apr. 2016
Hog deer, Bengal slow loris, Asian elephants and clouded leopards also lurk in its jungles.

— doug clark, New York Times, "In Myanmar, a Lake That Sustained Generations Feels Strains," 28 May 2017
Slow lorises are beguiling but venomous primates made famous by Internet videos showing them being tickled or fed rice balls.

— National Geographic, "The Dark Side of Trendy Animal Photos," 22 Feb. 2016

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

Illustration of loris

Origin and Etymology of loris

French, probably from obsolete Dutch loeris simpleton

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First Known Use: 1774

in the meaning defined above

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See words that rhyme with loris Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about loris

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loris

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