armadillo

[ ahr-muh-dil-oh ]

noun

, plural ar·ma·dil·los.

1. any of several burrowing, chiefly nocturnal mammals constituting the family Dasypodidae, ranging from the southern U.S. through South America, having strong claws and a jointed protective covering of bony plates: used in certain areas for food.

armadillo

/ ˌɑːməˈdɪləʊ /

noun

1. any edentate mammal of the family Dasypodidae of Central and South America and S North America, such as Priodontes giganteus ( giant armadillo ). They are burrowing animals, with peglike rootless teeth and a covering of strong horny plates over most of the body
2. fairy armadillo
   another name for pichiciego

Word History and Origins

Origin of armadillo¹

1570–80; < Spanish, equivalent to armad ( o ) armed (< Latin armātus; arm ², -ate ¹ ) + -illo < Latin -illus diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of armadillo¹

C16: from Spanish, diminutive of armado armed (man), from Latin armātus armed; compare armada

Example Sentences

Disneyland regulars who go on the ride multiple times will also become familiar with Lari the armadillo, a good-natured thief who appears multiple times throughout the ride.

From Los Angeles Times

Her collection of animals could outnumber her children and included a wandering armadillo that broke up tea parties and a pet hawk that once landed on the wig of a politician’s wife.

From Los Angeles Times

Extant animals like giant armadillos and giant anteaters, related to Darwin’s ancient giant sloths, have experienced similar pressures.

From Salon

Animals such as capybaras and giant armadillos that wouldn't have ventured farther north used this strip of humid grassland to move from Mexico to Texas to Florida.

From Science Daily

Today, there are only three survivors: the nine-banded armadillo, the Virginia opossum and the North American porcupine.

From Science Daily