tapir Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun large inoffensive chiefly nocturnal ungulate of tropical America and southeast Asia having a heavy body and fleshy snout
WordNet
Ta"pir noun
Etymology
Braz.Definitions
(Zoöl.) Any one of several species of large odd-toed ungulates belonging to Tapirus ,Elasmognathus , and allied genera. They have a long prehensile upper lip, short ears, short and stout legs, a short, thick tail, and short, close hair. They have three toes on the hind feet, and four toes on the fore feet, but the outermost toe is of little use.✍ The best-known species are the Indian tapir ( Tapirus Indicus ), native of the East Indies and Malacca, which is black with a broad band of white around the middle, and the common American tapir (T. Americanus ), which, when adult, is dull brown. Several others species inhabit the Andes and Central America.
