potto

noun

pot·to ˈpä-(ˌ)tō

plural pottos

: any of several African primates (genus Perodicticus)

especially : a nocturnal slow-moving arboreal primate (P. potto) with woolly brownish fur and a vestigial index finger

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Wolof pata, a tailless monkey

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of potto was in 1763

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Browse Nearby Words

pottle pot

potto

potty

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Potto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potto. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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