leopard

American  

[lep-erd] / ˈlɛp ərd /

noun

1. a large, spotted Asian or African carnivore, Panthera pardus, of the cat family, usually tawny with black markings; the Old World panther: all leopard populations are threatened or endangered.

2. the fur or pelt of this animal.

3. any of various related cats resembling this animal.

4. Heraldry. a lion represented from the side as walking, usually with one forepaw raised, and looking toward the spectator.

5. Numismatics.

   1. an Anglo-Gallic gold coin issued by Edward III, equal to half a florin, bearing the figure of a leopard.

   2. a silver Anglo-Gallic coin issued by Henry V.

6. Military. Leopard, a 42-ton (38-metric ton) West German tank with a 105 mm gun.

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leopard British  

/ ˈlɛpəd /

noun

1. Also called: panther.  a large feline mammal, Panthera pardus, of forests of Africa and Asia, usually having a tawny yellow coat with black rosette-like spots

2. any of several similar felines, such as the snow leopard and cheetah

3. a feline, Neofelis nebulosa, of SE Asia and Indonesia with a yellowish-brown coat marked with darker spots and blotches

4. heraldry a stylized leopard, painted as a lion with the face turned towards the front

5. the pelt of a leopard

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Other Word Forms

• leopardess noun

Etymology

Origin of leopard

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English leopard, labarde, lebarde, from Old French leopard, lebard, leupard, from Late Latin leōpardus, from Greek leópardos, syncopated variant of leontópardos, equivalent to leonto- (stem of léōn ) + párdos; lion, pard ¹

Example Sentences

"May my breath not run out; I will run like a leopard," he added.

From Barron's

"In Wayanad, going into the plantation at night is risky. We have snakes, wild boars, sometimes even leopards and elephants," he says.

From BBC

On Tuesday, he spoke from the dock to confirm his name and his latest not guilty pleas, while wearing a leopard print shirt with several buttons undone and holding a fedora hat.

From BBC

"It's becoming increasingly clear that many pathogens are able to quickly mutate. Like the proverbial leopard that changes its spots, a virus can change the antigens on its surface," Pulendran said.

From Science Daily

Guests were invited to watch as models sprawled across a pool table decorated in white leopard print, wearing outfits to match the playful aesthetic.

From BBC

Related Words

• cheetah
• panther