taxidermy
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of taxidermy
1810–20; taxi- + Greek dérm ( a ) skin ( see derma 1) + -y 3
Explanation
If you're a fan of taxidermy, you like real stuffed animals — animal skins specially prepared and mounted to look like they're alive. Some natural history museums are full of well-done taxidermy, real animals that have been mounted after death, treated to preserve them and posed to appear lifelike. The word taxidermy was first used in 1820, from the Greek words taxis, "arrangement," and derma, "skin." In other words, the slightly gruesome meaning of taxidermy is "an arrangement of skin."
Vocabulary lists containing taxidermy
Body Language: Derm ("Skin")
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Merci Suárez Changes Gears
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Frightful's Mountain
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He seemed to be an expert at everything, including astronomy, architecture, acting, cars, taxidermy, music, masonry and whales.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Boris arrived at the museum in 1932 amongst a large collection of taxidermy bequeathed by a local game hunter.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
We could also call Wild Bill’s Western Store a winner, as Front Office Sports reported the taxidermy shop sold out of stuffed raccoons thanks to high demand following Haaland’s viral post.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
His haul ended up including two taxidermy squirrels as well — one dressed as a sheriff and the other posed to look like it is drinking out of a Budweiser can.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Even better is a Lego tuna fish to hang in New Clairmont now that none of Granddad’s taxidermy is there anymore.
From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
