Hippopotamus
[,hɪpə'pɒtəməs]
Definition
(noun.) massive thick-skinned herbivorous animal living in or around rivers of tropical Africa.
Checked by Justin--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A large, amphibious, herbivorous mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius), common in the rivers of Africa. It is allied to the hogs, and has a very thick, naked skin, a thick and square head, a very large muzzle, small eyes and ears, thick and heavy body, and short legs. It is supposed to be the behemoth of the Bible. Called also zeekoe, and river horse. A smaller species (H. Liberiencis) inhabits Western Africa.
Inputed by Kari
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. River-horse, seahorse.
Editor: Shanna
Definition
n. the river-horse—an African quadruped of aquatic habits having a very thick skin short legs and a large head and muzzle.—adj. Hippopotam′ic (also -pot′-) like a hippopotamus clumsy.
Typist: Shelley
Examples
- The fat of the lion, hippopotamus, crocodile, goose, serpent, and wild goat, in equal parts, served as a prescription for baldness. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- One of the earliest known figures of a deity is that of a hippopotamus goddess, and so very distinctively African. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- In the same gravel-pits were found teeth of rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and the leg-bone of a deer with marks upon it that may be cuts. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- At first there were hippopotami, rhinoceroses, mammoths, and elephants. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Editor: Oswald