fennec

American  

[fen-ek] / ˈfɛn ɛk /

noun

1. a small, pale yellowish-brown fox, Fennecus zerda, of northern Africa, having large, pointed ears.

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fennec British  

/ ˈfɛnɛk /

noun

1. a very small nocturnal fox, Fennecus zerda , inhabiting deserts of N Africa and Arabia, having pale fur and enormous ears

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Etymology

Origin of fennec

1780–90; < Arabic fanak < Persian

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fennec

I was fascinated by the tracks my guides picked up: snakes, grasshoppers, even hares and fennec foxes.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 16, 2016

But then she saw postings about fennec foxes, the pint-sized species of Nick's short-tempered, big-eared sidekick, Finnick.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2016

George, one of the fennec foxes he hand-raised at the Bronx Zoo, is now at home at Potawatomi to join the growing program.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 25, 2016

So while cats and the amazing fennec foxes and more distantly related mammals like marsupials kept their ability to orient their ears—think of big-eared cuties like koalas, lemurs, bush-babies—apes and humans lost the skill.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2015

This action was similar to that of some unfortunate fellow on the tread-mill, except that it was voluntary on the part of the fennec.

From The Young Yagers A Narrative of Hunting Adventures in Southern Africa by Reid, Mayne