aardvark

[ ahrd-vahrk ]

/ ˈɑrdˌvɑrk /

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noun

a large, nocturnal, burrowing mammal, Orycteropus afer, of central and southern Africa, feeding on ants and termites and having a long, extensile tongue, strong claws, and long ears.

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Also called ant bear .

Origin of aardvark

First recorded in 1825–35; from Afrikaans erdvark, from Dutch aardvarken, equivalent to aarde “earth” + varken “pig”; see earth, farrow¹

Words nearby aardvark

AAP, AAPI, A.A.P.S.S., aar, Aarau, aardvark, aardwolf, Aargau, Aarhus, AARNet, Aaron

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use aardvark in a sentence

This struggle has shaped every animal — from aardvarks to zebrafish — and likely all other life as well.
Living mysteries: This critter has 38 times more DNA than you do|Douglas Fox|September 29, 2022|Science News For Students
It turns out that aardvarks are more closely related to elephants while pangolins are more closely related to cats and dogs.
Evolutionary Tree of Life: DNA Analysis Is Showing How We Got So Much Wrong|Matthew Wills|July 10, 2022|Singularity Hub
After taking an online tutorial, you can catalog everything from the aardvarks to the zebras that you see.
Stuck inside this winter? Try an at-home citizen science project|Erin Wayman|January 25, 2022|Science News
Rafting likely explains how Afrotheria, the group containing elephants and aardvarks, got to Africa.
One Incredible Ocean Crossing May Have Made Human Evolution Possible|Nicholas R. Longrich|May 2, 2021|Singularity Hub

Ed Markey (D-MA) appeared with Arthur the Aardvark, the star of the PBS show Arthur, to promote funding for public broadcasting.
Muppets, Superheroes And The Politicians Who Love Them|Ben Jacobs|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
XG Ventures has invested in over 45 companies with fifteen exits, including such companies as Tapulous, Posterous, and Aardvark.
See Who’s Coming to Women in the World 2013: Speakers & Participants||March 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The name ant-eater is also given to the pangolins and to the aardvark.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various
They got him in the hole like an aardvark, with a bush over the mouth, so you couldn't see it.
Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland|Olive Schreiner
The girl turned like a frightened aardvark, still holding the cromorne in her hand.
Of All Things|Robert C. Benchley

British Dictionary definitions for aardvark

aardvark

/ (ˈɑːdˌvɑːk) /

noun

a nocturnal mammal, Orycteropus afer, the sole member of its family (Orycteropodidae) and order (Tubulidentata). It inhabits the grasslands of Africa, has long ears and snout, and feeds on termitesAlso called: ant bear

Word Origin for aardvark

C19: from obsolete Afrikaans, from aarde earth + varken pig

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

aardvark

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British Dictionary definitions for aardvark

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