manatee

[ man-uh-tee, man-uh-tee ]

/ ˈmæn əˌti, ˌmæn əˈti /

noun

any of several plant-eating aquatic mammals of the genus Trichechus, of West Indian, Floridian, and Gulf Coast waters, having two flippers in front and a broad, spoon-shaped tail: all species are endangered.

Words nearby manatee

manas, manassas, manasseh, manassite, manat, manatee, manatu, manatí, manaus, manavelins, manawa

Origin of manatee

1545–55; < Spanish manatí < Carib, but associated with Latin manātus provided with hands

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for manatee

It was about midday when they tackled the manatee, and Dick must have been alone with it for a good many hours.
Dick in the Everglades|A. W. Dimock
The next instant the manatee came to the surface, and as the creature lifted its head Ned threw his lasso over it.
Dick in the Everglades|A. W. Dimock
Ned was so anxious for another chance at a manatee that the boys decided to camp where they were and hunt the creature regularly.
Dick in the Everglades|A. W. Dimock
Unfortunately, the citizens of Manatee are not as progressive as hospitable.
Florida: Past and present|Samuel Curtis Upham

Dick was telling the girl the story of the manatee when Ned put in an appearance.
Dick in the Everglades|A. W. Dimock

British Dictionary definitions for manatee

manatee

/ (ˈmænəˌtiː, ˌmænəˈtiː) /

noun

any sirenian mammal of the genus Trichechus, occurring in tropical coastal waters of America, the Caribbean, and Africa: family Trichechidae. They resemble whales and have a prehensile upper lip and a broad flattened tail

Derived forms of manatee

manatoid, adjective

Word Origin for manatee

C16: via Spanish from Carib Manattouī

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012