serval

[sur-vuhl]

noun

plural

servals ,

plural

serval .

1. a long-limbed, nocturnal African cat, Felis serval, about the size of a bobcat, having a tawny coat spotted with black: now rare in many former habitats.

serval

/ ˈsɜːvəl /

noun

1. a slender feline mammal, Felis serval, of the African bush, having an orange-brown coat with black spots, large ears, and long legs

Word History and Origins

Origin of serval¹

1765–75; < New Latin < Portuguese ( lobo ) cerval lynx, literally, staglike (wolf ) < Late Latin cervālis deerlike, equivalent to Latin cerv ( us ) stag + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of serval¹

C18: via French from Late Latin cervālis staglike, from Latin cervus a stag

Example Sentences

The serval did not want to go into her crate.

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They included a caracal, two servals and 16 hybrid felines.

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The sanctuary said it had lost five African serval cats, four bobcats, two Canada lynx and a Bengal tiger, among others.

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A serval, a species of exotic African wild cat, that had escaped a month ago from his owner’s Decatur, Illinois, apartment was recaptured.

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Owner Christopher Solomon acquired the serval, named “Reese,” from outside the state just last month, and says the cat is a “great boy” — but also warns against letting small pets near the African wild cat.

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