babirusa

or bab·i·rous·sa, bab·i·rus·sa

[ bab-uh-roo-suh, bah-buh- ]

noun

1. an East Indian swine, Babyrousa babyrussa, the male of which has upper canine teeth growing upward through the roof of the mouth and curving toward the eyes, and lower canine teeth growing upward outside the upper jaw.

babirusa

/ ˌbɑːbɪˈruːsə /

noun

1. a wild pig, Babyrousa babyrussa , inhabiting marshy forests in Indonesia. It has an almost hairless wrinkled skin and enormous curved canine teeth

Word History and Origins

Origin of babirusa¹

1690–1700; < Malay, equivalent to babi pig + rusa deer

Word History and Origins

Origin of babirusa¹

C17: from Malay, from bābī hog + rūsa deer

Example Sentences

Unlike ordinary wild pigs, the babirusa produces uniformly coloured young.

From Project Gutenberg

Next day we started with our friend into the neighbouring forest, in chase of the babirusa or pig-deer.

From Project Gutenberg

I also obtained a skull of the babirusa, one specimen of which was killed by native hunters during my residence at Cajeli.

From Project Gutenberg

At this time the babirusa may have entered Bouru, since it probably swims as well as its allies the pigs.

From Project Gutenberg