aardvark

• aard-vark, erdvark

Borrowed from Afrikaans aardvark (obsolete), erdvark, from aarde (“earth”, from Middle Dutch aerde) +‎ vark (“pig”, from Middle Dutch varken). Early European colonists in South Africa noticed that the animal was similar to a pig, while aarde hints at the animal's habit of burrowing.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɑːd.vɑːk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɑɹd.vɑɹk/

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (CA)

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aardvark (plural aardvarks)

1. The nocturnal, insectivorous, burrowing, mammal Orycteropus afer, of the order Tubulidentata, somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa. [from late 18^th c.]

   Synonyms: African anteater, antbear, ant bear, anteater, earth pig

   The aardvark burrows in the ground and feeds mostly on termites, which it catches with its long, slimy tongue.

• Aard-vark in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911)
• Jonathan E. Lighter, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume I, A-G. Random House USA, 1994. →ISBN. page 1.

From Dutch aardvarken, from aarde (“earth, soil”) +‎ varken (“pig”).

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aardvark (plural aardvarke)

1. Alternative form of erdvark

• → English: aardvark

Unadapted borrowing from Afrikaans aardvark.

aardvark m (plural aardvarks)

1. aardvark (mammal)

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:orictéropo