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manatee

noun man·a·tee \ ˈma-nə-ˌtē \
|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of manatee

: any of a genus (Trichechus of the family Trichechidae) of large, herbivorous, aquatic mammals that inhabit warm coastal and inland waters of the southeastern U.S., West Indies, northern South America, and West Africa and have a rounded body, a small head with a squarish snout, paddle-shaped flippers usually with vestigial nails, and a flattened, rounded tail used for propulsion
Note: Manatees are sirenians related to and resembling the dugong but differing most notably in the shape of the tail.

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Recent Examples of manatee from the Web

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Illustration of manatee

illustration of manatee

Origin and Etymology of manatee

Spanish manatí, probably of Carib origin; akin to Antillean Carib manattoüi manatee

MANATEE Defined for English Language Learners

manatee

noun

Definition of manatee for English Language Learners

  • : a large animal that lives in warm waters and eats plants

MANATEE Defined for Kids

manatee

noun man·a·tee \ ˈma-nə-ˌtē \

Definition of manatee for Students

: a mainly tropical water-dwelling mammal that eats plants and has a broad rounded tail

Learn More about manatee

  1. See words that rhyme with manatee Spanish Central: Translation of manatee Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about manatee

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