aardvark

== English == === Alternative forms === aard-vark, erdvark === Etymology === Borrowed from Afrikaans aardvark (obsolete), erdvark, from aarde (“earth”, from Middle Dutch aerde) +‎ vark (“pig”, from Middle Dutch varken). Early European colonists in South Africa noticed that the animal was similar to a pig, while aarde hints at the animal's habit of burrowing. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɑːd.vɑːk/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈɑɹd.vɑɹk/ === Noun === aardvark (plural aardvarks) The nocturnal, insectivorous, burrowing mammal Orycteropus afer, of the order Tubulidentata and somewhat resembling a pig. Common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa. [from late 18th c.] Synonyms: African anteater, antbear, ant bear, anteater, earth pig ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === Aard-vark in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911) Jonathan E. Lighter, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume I, A-G. Random House USA, 1994. →ISBN. page 1. == Afrikaans == === Etymology === From Dutch aardvarken, from aarde (“earth, soil”) +‎ varken (“pig”). === Pronunciation === === Noun === aardvark (plural aardvarke) alternative form of erdvark ==== Descendants ==== → English: aardvark == Portuguese == === Etymology === Unadapted borrowing from Afrikaans aardvark. === Pronunciation === === Noun === aardvark m (plural aardvarks) aardvark (mammal) Synonyms: see Thesaurus:orictéropo