plural pottos
: any of several African primates (genera Arctocebus and 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
Dictionary Entries Near potto
Cite this Entry
“Potto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potto. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about potto
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