rhino

[ rahy-noh ]

/ ˈraɪ noʊ /

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noun, plural rhi·nos, (especially collectively) rhi·no.

a rhinoceros.

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True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Origin of rhino

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening

Other definitions for rhino (2 of 3)

rhino²

[ rahy-noh ]

/ ˈraɪ noʊ /

noun Chiefly British Slang.

money; cash.

Origin of rhino

First recorded in 1680–90; origin uncertain

Other definitions for rhino (3 of 3)

rhino-

a combining form meaning “nose,” used in the formation of compound words: rhinology.

Also especially before a vowel, rhin-.

Origin of rhino-

<Greek rhīno-, combining form of rhī́s (stem rhīn-)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WORDS THAT USE RHINO-

What does rhino- mean?

Rhino- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “nose.” It is often used in medical terms.

Rhino- comes from the Greek rhī́s, meaning “nose.”

What are variants of rhino-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, rhino- becomes rhin-, as in rhinal.

Examples of rhino-

You’ve likely heard of the rhinoceros, the wonderful but incredibly endangered pachyderm.

But do you know why it’s called a rhinoceros? Because of its distinctive horn (or horns) on its snout! Rhinoceros comes from the Greek rhīnókerōs, with rhīno- meaning “nose” and -kerōs meaning “horned.” So, rhinoceros literally translates to “nose-horned.”

Looking for a fancy word for a runny nose? Try rhinorrhea, “an excessive discharge of mucus from the nose.”

What are some words that use the combining form rhino-?

What are some other forms that rhino- may be commonly confused with?

Break it down!

The combining form -plasty is often used to mean “plastic surgery.” If rhino- means “nose,” what is rhinoplasty?

How to use rhino in a sentence

But arrests of rhino poachers have also followed an upward curve.
South Africa’s Great Rhino Airlift|Nina Strochlic|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rhino horns are also sold as ceremonial daggers in Middle Eastern countries like Yemen.
South Africa’s Great Rhino Airlift|Nina Strochlic|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rhino horn is particularly lucrative—each kilogram can fetch up to $66,000.
South Africa’s Great Rhino Airlift|Nina Strochlic|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If elephant, rhino, and other African wildlife are poached to extinction, tourism will dry up.
Borana Joins the Fight to Save Kenya’s Rhinos…and Wants You to Help Too|Joanna Eede|February 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Another crucial long-term plan is to get the rhino breeding again.
Borana Joins the Fight to Save Kenya’s Rhinos…and Wants You to Help Too|Joanna Eede|February 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some animals, like the rhino and the eland, have tick birds that sit upon their backs and eat the ticks.
In Africa|John T. McCutcheon
It is also supposed to require an additional amount to face an angry rhino or to attempt to get African buffalo.
In Africa|John T. McCutcheon
Instead of dropping, the rhino threw up its tail and ears, gave a little squeal and started for Burt.
The Blind Lion of the Congo|Elliott Whitney
Then came a crashing and swishing of the bush and out stalked a big rhino, sniffing the wind and advancing slowly toward them.
The Blind Lion of the Congo|Elliott Whitney
His bullet struck the rhino in the head and glanced off, serving only to increase the rage of the brute.
The Blind Lion of the Congo|Elliott Whitney

British Dictionary definitions for rhino (1 of 3)

rhino¹

/ (ˈraɪnəʊ) /

noun plural -nos or -no

short for rhinoceros

British Dictionary definitions for rhino (2 of 3)

rhino²

/ (ˈraɪnəʊ) /

noun

British a slang word for money

Word Origin for rhino

C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for rhino (3 of 3)

rhino-

before a vowel rhin-

combining form

indicating the nose or nasalrhinology

Word Origin for rhino-

from Greek rhis, rhin

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