armadillo

American  

[ahr-muh-dil-oh] / ˌɑr məˈdɪl oʊ /

noun

plural

armadillos

1. any of several burrowing, chiefly nocturnal mammals constituting the family Dasypodidae, ranging from the southern U.S. through South America, having strong claws and a jointed protective covering of bony plates: used in certain areas for food.

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armadillo British  

/ ˌɑːməˈdɪləʊ /

noun

1. any edentate mammal of the family Dasypodidae of Central and South America and S North America, such as Priodontes giganteus ( giant armadillo ). They are burrowing animals, with peglike rootless teeth and a covering of strong horny plates over most of the body

2. another name for pichiciego

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Etymology

Origin of armadillo

1570–80; < Spanish, equivalent to armad ( o ) armed (< Latin armātus; arm ², -ate ¹ ) + -illo < Latin -illus diminutive suffix

Compare meaning

How does armadillo compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• aardvark vs. armadillo

Example Sentences

Fish such as wolf fish, peacock bass, and South American lungfish were especially common, accompanied by reptiles including caimans and turtles, and mammals such as capybaras, pacas, and armadillos.

From Science Daily

Among the half-dozen tattoos Ty Myers has accumulated in his 18 years on earth, “probably the dumbest,” he says, is the armadillo he picked out from a set of ready-mades at a festival in Oklahoma.

From Los Angeles Times

Eskow: He also said there's nothing in the middle of the road except yellow lines and dead armadillos.

From Salon

It’s not a lazy river or an interactive armadillo zoo, but it’s a start.

From Los Angeles Times

Disneyland regulars who go on the ride multiple times will also become familiar with Lari the armadillo, a good-natured thief who appears multiple times throughout the ride.

From Los Angeles Times