aardvark

[ ahrd-vahrk ]

noun

1. 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.

aardvark

/ ˈɑːdˌvɑːk /

noun

1. 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 termites Also calledant bear

Word History and Origins

Origin of aardvark¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from Afrikaans erdvark, from Dutch aardvarken, equivalent to aarde “earth” + varken “pig”; earth, farrow ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of aardvark¹

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

Example Sentences

Ed Markey (D-MA) appeared with Arthur the Aardvark, the star of the PBS show Arthur, to promote funding for public broadcasting.

From The Daily Beast

XG Ventures has invested in over 45 companies with fifteen exits, including such companies as Tapulous, Posterous, and Aardvark.

From The Daily Beast

The name ant-eater is also given to the pangolins and to the aardvark.

From Project Gutenberg

They got him in the hole like an aardvark, with a bush over the mouth, so you couldn't see it.

From Project Gutenberg

The girl turned like a frightened aardvark, still holding the cromorne in her hand.

From Project Gutenberg