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pachyderm

[ pak-i-durm ]
/ ˈpæk ɪˌdɜrm /
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noun
any of the thick-skinned, nonruminant ungulates, as elephants, hippopotamuses, and rhinoceroses.
an elephant.
a person who is not sensitive to criticism, ridicule, etc.; a thick-skinned person.
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Origin of pachyderm

First recorded in 1825–30; from French pachyderme, from New Latin Pachyderma, singular of Pachydermata (plural) obsolete order name, from Greek pachý(s) “thick” + -dérmata, neuter plural of -dermatos “-skinned,” adjective derivative of dermat-, stem of dérma “skin”; see origin at derma1

OTHER WORDS FROM pachyderm

pach·y·der·mal, pach·y·der·mous, pach·y·der·mic, pach·y·der·moid, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pachyderm in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pachyderm

pachyderm
/ (ˈpækɪˌdɜːm) /

noun
any very large thick-skinned mammal, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus

Derived forms of pachyderm

pachydermatous, adjective

Word Origin for pachyderm

C19: from French pachyderme, from Greek pakhudermos thick-skinned, from pakhus thick + derma skin
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

Scientific definitions for pachyderm

pachyderm
[ păkĭ-dûrm′ ]

Any of various large, thick-skinned mammals, such as the elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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