hippopotamus
/ˌhɪp.əˈpɒt.ə.məs/
hɪp · ƏPⱰT · ə · məs (4 syllables)
English
Noun Top 31,339
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Definition
A semi-aquatic, herbivorous, African hoofed mammal of the family Hippopotamidae.
Etymology
From Latin and New Latin hippopotamus, from Ancient Greek ἱπποπόταμος (hippopótamos), from ἵππος (híppos, “horse”) (English hippo-) + ποταμός (potamós, “river”). Displaced nicker, from Old English nicor.
Example Sentences
- "These were the first hippopotami that we had ever seen, and, to judge by their insatiable curiosity, I should judge that we were the first white men that they had ever seen."
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