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aardwolf

noun
aard·​wolf | \ -ˌwu̇lf How to pronounce aardwolf (audio) \
plural aardwolves\ -​ˌwu̇lvz How to pronounce aardwolves (audio) \

Definition of aardwolf

: a maned striped nocturnal mammal (Proteles cristatus) of southern and eastern Africa that resembles the related hyenas and feeds chiefly on insects and especially termites

Illustration of aardwolf

Illustration of aardwolf

First Known Use of aardwolf

1833, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for aardwolf

borrowed from early Afrikaans, from aarde "earth" + wolf "wolf"; akin to Old English eorthe "earth" and to Old English wulf "wolf" — more at earth entry 1, wolf entry 1

Note: Regarding early Afrikaans aarde, see note at aardvark. The modern Afrikaans name for the animal is maanhaarjakkal.

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